McConney: 94 St Philip West residents employed through Job Workz programme

Member of Parliament (MP) for St Philip West, Kay McConney has announced that 94 residents have successfully gained employment through the Job Workz programme, an initiative she has been championing since her 2018 campaign.

She was speaking during a branch meeting held in her constituency on Sunday. 

Sharing what she said was an “abbreviated constituency report” during her tenure as MP, McConney zoomed in on the areas of employment, education, housing, and infrastructure. 

Heading her work in employment, is the Job Workz programme, which she noted “continues to perform outstandingly”. 

“The Job Workz programme was put in place for adults who were really looking for jobs and to work. That programme has continued to perform,” she said. 

Detailing the scope of the employment programme, the MP shared that it consists of three levels of assistance.

“We do preparation where we prepare you for the world of work. We then actually help you to find opportunities and then finally, once you get the opportunity, we provide additional support.” 

She further detailed how the programme assists with practical needs such as work clothes and lunch money until the first pay cheque arrives, acknowledging the financial struggles that can accompany job searching.

Sharing on its success, the MP said, “So far, we have 94 that have been employed and 92 who have received resumes, and a whole host of others who we have been able to offer that additional support. This Job Workz programme came from the campaign trail, and it has manifested.”

Expanding on the local employment initiative, McConney highlighted the broader impacts on the community.

 “These are not just jobs; these are opportunities to enhance the lives of individuals and, by extension, our community,” she stated. 

In addition to the Job Workz successes, McConney detailed achievements in education, a sector she passionately supports as the Minister of Education. 

She told the gathering that a scholarship programme that she had launched in collaboration with a local institute, and on behalf of her constituency, has since awarded 30 scholarships. 

“They are in six different areas of study including child care development, nursing auxiliary, front office management, cosmetology, housekeeping for the hospitality industry and protective security,” she shared, revealing that eight additional scholarships are planned for the near future. 

The MP also spoke about the successes of literacy and Back to School programmes that she had implemented in her area boasting that the deaf community is also being served as part of these initiatives. 

Her abbreviated constituency report also took into account work the MP has been doing in the areas of housing and infrastructure. 

She reported that several persons who have shared concerns about a lack of consistent water supply have received potable water tanks. 

On the matter of housing, McConney advised that while some headway has been made to assist those persons who have suffered damage during Hurricane Elsa, work is still being done to address all affected. (SM)