Please fix our recruitment/personnel systems

Oct 27, 2020 Letters

Dear Editor

This is an open letter to all the dignified members of the new administration which I’m hoping at least one of them will be polite enough to respond. I am a 22-year-old female from Region 6 who has been trying to gain employment in the public service since I was 18 years old. I have 11 CSEC subjects in 5 grade ones, 3 grade twos and 3 grade threes. I also hold an Associate Diploma from CSEC CAPE. Far too many times, I have filled out applications for the Teaching Service Commission and The Nursing School and still awaiting acceptance. I have sent applications to several ministries and government institutions and I understood that I needed a university degree to be recognized but since I could not afford it, I have been trying the scholarship programme which was also futile. Eventually, I started working in the private sector and would see my former classmates get accepted into the various professions I have applied for. As much as I was troubled by the fact that I had better grades but was never contacted, I continued to work in the private sector to provide for myself. Everyone I spoke to, told me that I had to get “links” to get such jobs in this country. However, due to the COVID-19 pandemic restrictions, the company, which I served has ceased its operations and I was sent home. Since the month of March, I have sent out various applications in both Berbice and Georgetown (because I have friends living in Georgetown that are willing to share their home with me). I was hoping due to the change in administration that I would no longer be victimized and that the process of requiring “links” would change but I’m afraid it got worst. I was informed that a few schools have vacancies for teachers so I traveled to Georgetown to submit another application but the staffers at the TSC were very discourteous. In addition, the REO of Region 6 had recently published a list of vacancies for which I sent two applications but was never contacted. I called into the personnel department because I was informed that the positions were being filled by persons with no working experience but they have “links” in the system. I was told only shortlisted applicants were contacted but when asked what was the shortlist criteria, I was unable to get an answer. I will repeat this is an open letter to ALL the dignified members of the present administration. I am pleading with each of you to please fix our recruitment/personnel systems! I know that I cannot be the only one who has been enduring this, there are countless persons facing this difficulty but we cannot do anything because we have no “links”. I remember being told that your education will determine your future and as I reflect on the sacrifices, which I have made in achieving my grades. I feel disappointed because the ones who did not work as hard are reaping the benefits because of “links”. Please don’t misinterpret my concern; I have nothing against allowing those persons to have such jobs but at least the ones who have worked hard to surpass the minimum requirements criteria should be given priority.
Yours truly,
N. Sewnauth

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