Then teach them yourself; hire them and teach them. Might get some more retention that way too.

Having to teach your employees basic math and language skills might be asking a bit too much of employers.

Can't help but think how many times you must have supported either the PLP or FNM party.

2022 candidates: FMN - John Jackson // PLP - Jack Johnson.

And pay them $210.00 a week to teach them? You mad crazy!

Who else applying to work for 220 at aid. But, isn’t everything on the pc, or are they saying they applicants are borderline illiterate.

I have never seen a pc do any work by itself.

AID has got it wrong. They could find many displaced people with better education. Pay them 250 a week, and a bonus at the end of a 6 month contract.

However, AID is never accomodating to employees who want to attend college and get better.

Unlike Super Value who accomodates their schedule when they go to school.

My statement was only questioning the high level arithmetic that the prospective employees would be called to engage in. So i am wondering if they are intimating that applicants are borderline illiterate - that they can’t scan a item and read the price, or collect correct change, they can’t read the label number on a tire or car part? Which is possible. The fact is anyone with employable skills that can command a salary are likely not seeking to be employed as line staff - or whatever you call it - at aid. This is likely the fate of most ppl demanding severance from the hotel industry.

If the applicants are as deficient as suggested, college/university might be a leap. Every job requires training as far as soft skills go. however, am I missing something - they are saying the ppl can’t read and count. I would think if I am not the brightest bulb, AID might be a place I apply. So again what do they mean when they say the applicants are scoring to low on the test? Are they illiterate? What exactly are the job requirements - that might weed out the bunch?

Mention is made in this story of the Marsh Harbour AID store. However, there is no work being carried out on the ruins of that store at present. Perhaps the competition offered by the new Parts City store is a factor in this situation.

Well, it is a loaded question,no? If you do not want to work for 220 , then qualify yourself for more. That requires sacrifice. Mr Watson sacrificed to get where he is, and othets should do the same. He doesn't owe anyone a job.He has a job available. Do you want it or not?

Yet they in the media crying for government to raise minimum wage. You can’t read or write or do math, but you know $210 a week is too, ‘Lil bit.’ Improve your skills and don’t worry about minimum wage.

The problem too is faced by the smaller stores and businesses. They may take on a person that is not qualified and train them or, at least give them work experience. And as soon as they learn to tie their shoes properly they go put in applications to higher paying jobs. No gratitude to the business that took the time to teach and/or train them. Well, you may say that is the nature of the beast, but realize also, that when government increases the minimum wage, these small businesses have to pay the unskilled or unqualified workers more and still have to teach and train them at the company’s expense.

If this article is quoting Jason Watson verbatim, then he him self is displaying very poor English!

When we were in school, we were taught (or learnt) that there are at least two levels of English: One that you use everyday or informal, and two, formal English that is used at school, in the classroom, or when applying for a job, etc. And when you get caught in a situation you cannot express yourself clearly, you use the catch-phrase, 'you know wat I mean."

I hear you chucky, but when you are sitting at the top of the tree, the mess won't hit you.

People often suggest that the business should train the incoming employee (i.e. math and english). This is rediculous.

Firstly, businesses are not schools and should not be expected to be such.

Secondly, the businesses pay tax to the government, part of which is supposed to go the education system so that students learn math and english.

Thirdly, parents must take their share of the blame as they are clearly not taking their responsiblities seriously. Raising children is not easy and they require a considerable amount of parenting, including being forced to finish home work and having to review subjects, with their parents, before exams to insure that they know enough to pass the exam.

You misspelled “ridiculous” ... 🤣🤣

My bad!

Then raise the pay. I assure you if you put an ad in the paper/social media, that you're looking to hire people with basic Math and English skills and the pay is $20K a year (not minimum wage) then you will find your 50+ employees. Give them a test before hiring, problem solved. Also it would encourage others to improve their Math and English skills.

Go ask the cheap Watson people ......... how much have you invested in assisting the schools in the areas around your stores OR the schools in Long Island, where you all are from????

They will stay real quiet ............... just like most of our wealthy business persons who are complaining that the ordinary children and their employees are dumb (but their kids go to to "good schools") .......... It shows the class discrimination that these people display, even though they are two generations removed from family illiteracy themselves.

I said above. When they get an employee who is taking remedial classes or going to College, they offer no accomodation.

Some woul be glad to work for 210 if they can go to school.

I knew someone who left there because the next minimim wage allowed her to get to school by 6pm.

Education is not valued in this country. This is tourism based economy where you can make a very good living without being literate, numerate or without having basic technical skills. That was before COV-19.

An economy according to according to a person with a PHD which has benefited from two of it's neighbors being economic basket cases.

A serious problem is pointed out about the level of education in this country and the vast majority of Tribune commenters take it as an opportunity to shoot the messenger. It is a problem for everyone in this country if there is a significant portion of the population that is unqualified for basic employment.

Who controls the educational system in this country?????? .......... The politicians .......... and Watson knows this (vicariously) ......... and the indigenous business class in this country (generally) pay lip service to public education while their children have access to the best schooling .......... So, I am not sympathetic to Watson.