The Challenge, Manpower Shortage in Government
Guest Opinion by J. J. Estemac
We believe that we should be creative in addressing the problems of our government. We are all conscious of the brain drain that the territory is experiencing which is affecting all levels and areas of our community. Our merchants and other business enterprises are also experiencing difficulties in identifying the right persons for the openings they may have in their operations. There are even problems in hiring unskilled labor, because of the attitude problem. This reality is symptomatic of the state of affairs in our community. Concerning skilled labor and other professionals there is an acknowledged scarcity of persons in the community to fill all the vacancies. We only have to read the newspapers and see the number of jobs being offered for weeks in the local market.
The challenge is ours to be creative and devise ways to address the need of skilled and professional personnel in both the private and public sectors of our community. While it may be easier for the private sector to import needed personnel in some instances it is not that easy for the government. Therefore, we would suggest that we use up whatever human resources we have locally. It is my studied opinion that we apply a transitional policy of contracting professionals in the private sector to provide the services needed for the government to delivery the services the community needs and expect. Instead of allowing positions in government to remain vacant, we should invite professionals already in the community, in the private sector, to assist the government to meet its needs of professionals in various departments and agencies of this government.
As I listen to the legislative sessions wherein the nominee for the Department of Planning & Natural Resources, Robert Mathes stated the department has numerous vacancies. Very critical to me is the lack of building inspectors and enforcement officers in the division of Building Permits. That condition causes a bottleneck in construction and other environmental sensitive activities of our community, or they proceed without the required oversight. I believe we can negotiate with professionals in the private sector to assist our government meet certain needs. There are engineers, architects, and other experienced professionals in the private sector that we could recruit on a contractual basis while we develop a cadre of career professional public servants to meet the needs of our government. This interim policy of recruiting professional from the private sector on contract would apply to all departments and agencies of our government. We could phase out contractual services when it is prudent to do so or continue it if it is proven to be more effective and economical.
Let us begin to think and act outside the proverbial box. Let us be imaginative and try other ways of addressing our needs in government. Together we can and we should. We should be conscious of our particular demographic; our reported population on the 2000 census was about 120,000. Since then I believe our population have increased, particularly with illegal immigrants. My observation revealed to me that for the most part they are unskilled persons. Many of the female engage in the sex trade and other illicit activities. My perception indicate to me that a large number of the immigrants are from a certain socio economic and cultural level that combine with the local residents of the same socio-economic and cultural level is increased creating an imbalance in the society. The current leaders of the community appear to be ignoring this reality. This phenomenon has serious consequences for the upgrading of our society from a socio-economic and cultural perspective. It behooves our elite, our leaders in the social, economical, political and religious sphere to make some initiatives in addressing this phenomenon. We need to start by strictly enforcing all laws, without exception, fairly and consistently. We also need to try to integrate the new immigrants into our community.
We can integrate the new comers by welcoming them, by acknowledging their presence in our community. We also can have special free courses in English, local history and customs. We can also provide skill training to provide alternative to the illicit activities practiced in the local underground economy. We can also teach by the good example of obeying our own laws and regulations. We should be cordial and tolerant with our neighbors, courtesy is said to be contagious, try it and you maybe pleasantly surprised.
J. J. Estemac
CCBG
St. Thomas, VI
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