Hotel workers in Antigua and Barbuda are benefitting from the work exchange
programme for a second year, under an agreement which the Antigua and Barbuda
government has entered into with the government of Jersey in the Channel Islands.
Organised jointly with the Antigua and Barbuda High Commission in the United
Kingdom and the Antigua and Barbuda Tourism Authority (ABTA) and managed
by the Antigua and Barbuda Hotels and Tourist Association (ABHTA), the
programme will see 27 local hotel workers being employed for six months by
properties in Jersey.
High Commissioner in London, Karen Mae Hill said the programme was initiated
by the government of Jersey based on a study it conducted to see what country it
was most compatible with, and Antigua and Barbuda emerged at the top of the list.
She explained that following negotiations between the two governments, a
Memorandum of Understanding was signed for the exchange programme for an
initial three-year period.
“Their peak season is our off-season because of winter; Antigua and Barbuda
welcomes most of its visitors in the winter months but for Jersey, their peak season
is the summer months when some of our hotels have low occupancy or are even
closed. This works well for both sides; it gives our young people a chance to make
some money, to build their skills. They also learn how to navigate in a busier
environment,” she added.
The Chief Executive Officer of the Tourism Authority, Colin C. James said the
ABTA is quite pleased with the candidates who are participating this year in the
work programme, noting that they are ambassadors for the country while in Jersey.
“We are happy that the hotel sector and the authorities in Jersey have seen it fit to
renew the programme which means that it has worked well. A lot of the properties
that are represented here close during the summer months so these folks will have
an opportunity to be gainfully employed right down until the start of our season
and that’s good!” he remarked.
He noted that the number booked so far is lower than those who took part last year,
but he is more interested in the quality of service provided by nationals than in the
numbers who participate.
He noted that other Caribbean countries have been asking to be added to the
programme but so far, the government of Jersey is continuing its association with
Antigua and Barbuda.
Further details of the programme were provided by ABHTA’s Althea Watkins
speaking at a brief Pinning Ceremony at the Ministry of Tourism, where the
candidates were recognized for being selected for the programme.
“We are in the second year of this three-year agreement between both countries
which has given additional Antiguan and Barbudan residents the opportunity to
apply and work in Jersey.
“The purpose of today’s ceremony is to acknowledge and celebrate the Jersey
participants who have secured a job in Jersey for 2023 and who have successfully
completed the E.A.S.E (Exceeding All Service Expectations) training. This
training was facilitated by Ms. Shirlene Nibbs, which provided participants with
the history, knowledge, and skills required to deliver excellent customer service
while working in Jersey,” Watkins indicated.
At least six of the candidates who participated in the programme last year were
offered jobs; mainly to return to the properties where they had worked.
