The Ministry of Tourism, Culture and the Arts (MTCA) attended the St. Anthony’s College Career Day Fair on Wednesday 15th June, 2022. The MTCA delivered presentations to six (6) groups of students (approximately 25 – 30 students per group) from forms 1 to 3 about the tourism, culture and arts sectors and the wide range of career opportunities available therein. In addition, career opportunities available at the MTCA and its entities were highlighted. The sessions were held from 9:45 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. There were also opportunities for direct interaction with individual students, who visited the booth. Students were also exposed to the Steel Pan and advised of its importance to our culture, as well as the career prospects available to persons pursuing careers in the musical arts field.
On June 7 – 10, 2022, the Ministry of Tourism, Culture and the Arts, in partnership with the Royal Caribbean Group, hosted a nationwide recruitment fair which was patronized by over 2800 applicants. This initiative took place following the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding, on May 23, between Royal Caribbean Group and the Ministry of Tourism, Culture and the Arts for and on behalf of the Government of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago. On June 7, 2022, the Minister of Tourism, Culture and the Arts, Senator the Honourable Randall Mitchell shared more information about this recruitment initiative on national television via TTT News.
The Recruitment Drive took place at the National Academy for the Performing Arts, the Southern Academy for the Performing Arts and the Shaw Park Cultural Complex, Tobago. Staff from the Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Arts were on hand between 9 and 5pm to assist persons with their online applications and to pre-check persons before they moved on to the next stage of the application process.
Royal Caribbean Group set a target of employing a minimum of 2000 nationals in various areas including Cruise Programs, Shore Excursions (Port Activities), Guest Services, Beverage, Food Services, Food Production, Financial Operations, Marine, Photography, Gaming and Housekeeping. However, the nationwide response was overwhelming. Many applicants were interviewed and offered positions on the spot, while others were offered follow up interviews. Due to the high number of applicants and patrons at the events, the Ministry of Tourism, Culture and the Arts assisted RCG in collecting the contact information of persons who were not able to be interviewed during the recruitment fair. These persons would be subsequently contacted by RCG for virtual interviews.
On May 23rd, the Minister of Tourism, Culture and the Arts, Senator the Honourable Randall Mitchell, signed a Memorandum of Understanding between Royal Caribbean Group represented by Wendy McDonald, Regional VP Government Relations, and the Ministry of Tourism, Culture and the Arts for and on behalf of the Government of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago.
This initiative is geared toward employing a minimum of 2000 nationals in various areas including recruitment of staff for the Cruise Programs, Shore Excursions (Port Activities), Guest Services, Beverage, Food Services, Food Production, Financial Operations, Marine, Photography, Gaming and Housekeeping. Recruits to this initiative will receive training in the following areas: safety and awareness, skills and competencies required for the respective positions and Seaman Book for those selected for the Marine Department.
This initiative will aid toward the advancement of the recovery efforts of the Government of Trinidad and Tobago through tourism initiatives and international linkages and stimulate the local economy through employment opportunities, revenue generation within the tourism sector and an increase in foreign exchange.
The Ministry of Tourism, Culture and the Arts launched its first in a series of major concerts and other cultural events since the COVID-19 pandemic, with the staging of Fusion, the Jazz Experience III. The event took place for the first time at the Naparima Bowl, San Fernando on Saturday 21st May, 2022. The Pan/Jazz concert which has become a signature event in the national Jazz calendar featured the National Steel Symphony Orchestra of Trinidad and Tobago (NSSO), as well as top local pan jazz entertainers Theron Shaw and Quinton Nicholas 736.
