GRAND CAYMAN, Cayman Islands – More than 20 people have been placed in jobs through a joint partnership with Government and recruitment agency Baraud.

The Ministry of Education, Employment and Gender Affairs, along with the National Workforce Development Agency, teamed up with Baraud in September to kick off ReStart, an employment programme aimed at getting 22 people who are Caymanian, married to a Caymanian or Permanent Residents with the Right to Work into the workforce.

“This first phase has been a success,” said Premier Hon. Alden McLaughlin. “We have committed since day one to get jobs for Caymanians and this partnership with Baraud has done just that for 22 people who were looking for employment. But it won’t stop here; our Government will continue to ensure that Caymanians have jobs.”

Under the programme the successful job candidates underwent one week of training from Baraud, will work full time for 11 weeks and there will be a final week of assessment. Hopefully candidates who have proven themselves during the 13 weeks will become permanent employees of the companies, which include Walkers, Cost U Less, Kirks, Digicel, Security Centre, AMB Construction, Androgroup, Pool Patrol, UBS, Butterfield, Mourant, Harneys, Bodden & Bodden Litigation, Fosters, WestStar and EFG Bank.

“I want to commend the employers and businesses who stepped up to the plate to help make this pilot programme work,” said Mr. McLaughlin. “I hope other businesses will take up the challenge and help us ensure that unemployed Caymanians get jobs.”

Employment Minister Hon. Tara Rivers said she was pleased with the turnout.

“We saw this as a win-win situation for everyone involved,” said Ms Rivers. “We’re going to make sure these 20 people have what they need to become and remain productive employees. After the pilot programme, we’ll meet with Baraud in the hopes of rolling out similar additional job placement programmes and putting something more permanent in place to ensure jobs are available for all Caymanians who are willing and able to work.”

Baraud is covering the cost of pension and health insurance contributions for the workers while the employers are paying a fee to Baraud to offset employment subsidies for the employees during the 13-week programme.

To be eligible for the jobs, candidates had to be registered with the National Workforce Development Agency.

Following the first week of training, participants were asked to fill out questionnaires about the programme and its effectiveness.

“It lets Caymanians know and feel confident that there is still hope by some people and companies pushing to help them seek work when all else fails,” wrote one employee candidate.

Another candidate said the training helped her build confidence and improve her interview skills.

“Please continue the programme,” wrote another employee candidate. “It truly works and helps people to get back into the workforce.”

In its report to Minister Rivers, Baraud said those placed in jobs were between 19 and 46 years of age, including one ex-offender.

“We are actively placing more roles as firms involved in the pilot have already come back seeking ReStart candidates for further vacancies that they have available,” Baraud said.