The Labour Mobility Unit within the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and External Trade has now recorded more than 16,000 applicants for its work ready pool following recent recruitment drives in three provinces.
A total of 940 applicants were received from the Labour Mobility Unit’s outreach and recruitment program to Temotu, Makira and Isabel Provinces.
The three provinces are among the underrepresented in the Labour Mobility Scheme and were the target for recruitment during the course of March and April 2023.
On Isabel Province, the LMU was at Buala from 27th -31st March 2023. The LMU was represented by Mr. Harrison Kabolo and assisted by Vicenta Waleanisia of the Solomon Islands Support Service under the Pasifiki Recruitment Agent.
They made a courtesy call to the Provincial Premier, Hon. Rhoda Sikilabu to update her on the purpose of the trip. Over the five days recruitment drive conducted on Buala, a total of 145 submissions were made, however, despite the small number of submissions the provincial government, chiefs and other leaders on Isabel were very happy and expressed the importance of such a visit.
On Makira, a team consisting of two staff of LMU, Alison Naghu and Gandi Maevamua were in Kirakira from March 30- April 2 conducting two and half days of recruitment at the Kirakira Women’s Hall.
A courtesy visit was accorded to the Makira/Ulawa Provincial Premier, Julian Makaá and his Provincial Secretary to inform and seek the blessing of the provincial executive on the recruitment drive.
The awareness session conducted in Kirakira were based on issues concerning the Pacific Australia Labour Mobility (PALM) Scheme and the Recognised Seasonal Employer (RSE) Scheme.
During the Kirakira recruitment initiative, the LMU managed to register a total of 435 applicants.
The last recruitment and awareness exercise were carried out in Lata, Temotu Province from the 11-14April 2023. Two officers from the LMU, Simon Kere and Christina Maoma arrived on Tuesday 11 April and made a courtesy call on the Provincial government office through the acting Premier (Minister of Finance) Hon. Edward Daiwo and his executive members.
Hon. Daiwo said there is huge interest from youths in the outer islands on the scheme, however the costs associated with applying is one of the biggest barriers to increasing Temotu’s participation in the programs.
A total of 360 applications were received from Temotu province.
A two-week recruitment drive carried out earlier this year received an overwhelming response with a total of 15,024 applicants responding through online/email submissions.
Interested candidates from the provinces visited were able to hand in their manual submissions to the LMU team with requirements for passport and police clearance relaxed.
Applicants are given time to follow up on these documents and submit at a later date.
–MFAET
