Prince George, B.C. – Prince George will be putting out the welcome mat today for the Jamaican Minister of Labour and Social Security. The Honourable Pearnel Charles will arrive later this morning to talk with business about the types of labour skills needed to fill the gaps in the labour market.

 

Michael Patterson is a professor at Okanagan College and says there is a solid relationship between Jamaica and that college “We have been providing the programs necessary to train workers to meet the needs of the communities facing labour shortages.” Patterson says the students come from Jamaica and get the training in Canada so they are able to move quickly into the labour force. 

 

Patterson says the Minister is coming here to identify the types of skills needed in Prince George and in Ft. St John.