OFFICE OF THE PRIME MINISTER Tel: (758) 468.2111

Greaham Louisy Administrative Building

Waterfront, Castries Fax: (758) 453.7352

Saint Lucia

From the desk of: Mrs. Jadia Jn. Pierre-Emmanuel, Press Secretary to the Prime Minister. Contact: (758)468-2111/ (758)285-5631

PRESS RELEASE

95/14 For Immediate Release June 5, 2014

MORE DETAILS ON CRUISE SHIP EMPLOYMENT PROGRAMME

The Government of Saint Lucia has provided more details on the Cruise Ship Employment

Programme. Since the announcement of this programme in the 2014/2015 Budget Statement,

many unemployed youth from across the island have expressed a desire to take advantage of this

opportunity.

On Tuesday, June 2, 2014, officials from the Office of the Prime Minister and the Saint Lucia

Development Bank were guests on INSIDE GOVERNMENT on RSL 97, where the details of this new

initiative were discussed. Permanent Secretary in the Office of the Prime Minister, Dr. Alison

Plummer, says the success of the pilot phase was the driving force behind the expansion of this

programme. According to Dr. Plummer,

"Last year, 220 persons benefited from training, assistance and employment as a result of

collaboration between NICE, Springboard Training and Development and the St Lucia Development

Bank. Springboard Training and Development Centre has entered into an agreement to train and

recruit employees from Saint Lucia to fill non-utility positions on Carnival Cruise Lines. Having

recognized the inability of many of the potential employees to meet the costs associated with taking

up these jobs, Springboard approached the Government and this relationship was developed.

Carnival Cruises recognizes the accreditation of this training institute and has expressed

satisfaction with employees recruited in the pilot phase last year. As such, Government will make

$3 million dollars available for on-lending by the St Lucia Development Bank, so more people can

benefit.”

The Permanent Secretary explained that the programme targets unemployed youth between the

ages of 18 and 35 and no employment experience or prior training is necessary. However, those

wishing to gain employment must pass the certification training course offered by Springboard.

After the training and certification, students will be required to undertake a medical screening

where they would undergo drug testing and other basic assessment. Upon certification, students

would then access the financial assistance to acquire their visas and to meet the cost of travel to

Miami to begin their jobs on cruise ships.

OFFICE OF THE PRIME MINISTER Tel: (758) 468.2111

Greaham Louisy Administrative Building

Waterfront, Castries Fax: (758) 453.7352

Saint Lucia

From the desk of: Mrs. Jadia Jn. Pierre-Emmanuel, Press Secretary to the Prime Minister. Contact: (758)468-2111/ (758)285-5631

The Business Development and Marketing Manager of the Saint Lucia Development Bank, Mr.

Philbert Francis, says he is pleased that the Government of Saint Lucia will expand the program. He

indicated that the loan amount which is usually in the vicinity of $5,000.00 covers the training,

medical, visa and one way travel costs and is granted to successful candidates who have been

referred by the training institute. In order to minimize delinquency, loans are to be repaid via

salary deductions, within the first six months of employment.

The public is urged to contact the Springboard Training and Development Institute at 450-0198 or

the Saint Lucia Development Bank at 456-7352 for more information.

Recruitment for training begins on June 9, 2014.

END