High response to Cayman Islands National Community Enhancement project
Managers of the National Community Enhancement Project (NiCE) project report an “overwhelming response” to the offer for seasonal work, with about 700 people accepted – far exceeding the anticipated numbers.
The NiCE initiative will provide work opportunities for unemployed men and women before Christmas and early in the New Year, while enhancing the physical environment for the benefit of the community.
Because of the need to prioritise, all Caymanians who applied and provided required documents have been accepted. However, due to the large number of workers, many of these will be hired for only one week of work.
A team of 70 workers, which will be chosen following the orientation next week, will be given three weeks. This group will include those with supervisory experience, who will act as foremen for the assembled teams; and those who will be assigned to do necessary work at the landfill, but for consistence and safety reasons that work crew cannot be rotated.
As a result of high numbers, priority levels had to be used to process the applications. Therefore, the project could not accommodate persons who are spouses of Caymanians; those with permanent residence; or applicants who were younger than 18 years old.
The 700-plus successful applicants were contacted by the NiCE management team. However, as some did not provide contact information, lists were made available and staff were on-hand on Saturday with the checklist at all Grand Cayman public libraries (The NiCE Hotline (917 0153), was available from 9:00a.m.to 5:00p.m Saturday and Sunday for persons to find out if they had been accepted).
All successful persons must attend a mandatory orientation session at 9:00a.m. on Monday morning, 7th December. There, they will sign contracts, receive safety instruction, and learn to which work teams they will be assigned.
The NiCE project will cover repairs and maintenance, gardening, cleaning parks, beaches and roadside verges. A similar project has already commenced on the Sister Islands under the supervision of District Administration.
A cross-ministerial team is leading this initiative, and Government Ministers and elected Members of the Legislative Assembly have been informed and engaged in the process. The Office of the Deputy Governor is providing administrative coordination.
Government agencies involved include the National Roads Authority, the Department of Environmental Health, and the Public Works Department – in particular its Recreation, Parks and Cemeteries Section.
The three-week project will run from December 7th to18th; and continue during January 11th to 15th 2016. Participants in the project will be expected to work from 7:00a.m. to 3:00p.m., Monday to Friday.
For further information, please contact the Hotline (917 0153), or email [email protected]
END
IMAGE: www.toaksgogreen.org