Over 1200 Persons benefit from CMRA for 2017

DPI, GUYANA, Wednesday, July 19, 2017

In an exclusive interview with the Department of Public Information (DPI) Assistant Chief Recruitment and Manpower Officer, Yolanda Grant said that some 1,225 registrants have been processed through the agency, within the first half of 2017.

The Central Recruitment & Manpower Agency (CRMA) is a unit under the Ministry of Social Protection, which was formerly known as the Employment Exchange. The agency was established in October 1944.  It prepares citizens for the world of work and facilitates them with job placements, as well as providing career counselling and guidance.

The CRMA registers applicants for employment, taking specific note of their occupational qualifications and experience. The agency interviews candidates for employment and evaluates them.

As part of its mandate the Agency conducted training workshops in Region Six (6) (East Berbice-Corentyne) and Region Five (5) (Mahaica-Berbice).

Last Wednesday 17 females and five males participated in a CRMA workshop in New Amsterdam, Berbice. Occupational Health and Safety Officer for Region Five, Darwin Bourne described the workshop as, “fruitful, mainly because many participants knew of their rights and laws.”

A participant of the workshop Moesha Sinclair, said despite challenges, she is hopeful of employment after this workshop. She is now well-equipped with how to conduct herself at an interview, and is aware of the labour laws of Guyana.

Bourne added that a workshop was also held last June to sensitize businesses in Berbice, “This is because many businesses did not have a time book, and were not adhering to labour, and National Minimum Wages Order.”

On completion of the workshops, persons are then linked with entities for an interview, and job placement. The Agency is currently teaching and visiting persons who would have completed the workshops, to follow up and ensure that the candidates are employed.

The Assistant Chief Recruitment Office highlighted that similar workshops will be rolled out in the near future in Region Two (2), Region Four (4) and Region Ten (10).

Back 2010 CRMA launched a $5M online registration programme for business persons to register their vacancies. Unemployed persons can visit the website, at www.crma-gy.com. The Assistant Chief Recruitment and Manpower Officer said since the website’s establishment, the agency has been able to reach a wider cross section of persons and businesses.