There is a wide scope for employment within the cruise sector, government says, but training institutions must have a recognizable track record for students to receive funds.

Prime Minister and Minister for Finance, Hon. Dr. Kenny Anthony recently received approval from the House of Assembly to secure a loan of EC$3 million from the National Insurance Corporation to finance the Cruise Sector Employment Program, in which over two hundred young people will be trained and provided with low interest loans to facilitate their employment.

Dr. Anthony stressed that such an initiative will enable young people to benefit from employment opportunities.

“The previous program so far has gone exceedingly well. A little over 200 Saint Lucians obtained employment on cruise ships and I think all indicators are that the numbers will grow,” he said.

Minister for Tourism, Heritage and Creative Industries, Hon. Lorne Theophilus commended the implementation of the program.

“At this time when jobs are badly needed, when the government sees that it must live up to its responsibility to provide jobs for the young people—especially those who are not in a position to obtain loans for themselves without the intervention of the government, the government has stepped forward and ensured that this program will enable people to do so. We have realized that within the cruise sector there is a wide scope for the employment of large numbers of people.”

Honorable Dr. Kenny Anthony noted that training institutions must have a recognizable track record for students to receive funds.