More Vincentians complete training for Canadian migrant farm workers’ program

Twenty-two Vincentians hoping to be part of the Canadian migrant farm workers’ programme are now better equipped to perform their duties once accepted into the program.

Potential workers for the Canadian migrant farm workers’ programme during one of the training sessions facilitated by Rohan McDonald (right) at Orange Hill

This, on completion by the all-male group of several training workshops on ethics, conflict resolution and group dynamics, among other topics.

The training also included a session on the Canadian migrant farm workers’ programme legal contract and practicals at the Orange Hill Biotechnology Institute.

Training officer at the Labour Department Ademola Williams said that training is recurring for all potential farm workers, but the most recent classes were a bit different than the others as they added several new dimensions.

“We have always provided training for farm workers, but not so extensive. Before it was more around the idea of Occupation Health and Safety which they had to pay for, but now we subsidized the cost by using training agents who work under the portfolio of the agriculture department,” Williams explained.

The session on ‘Ethics and conflict resolution’ was conducted by Williams himself; group dynamics was tackled by Kesley Cambridge, while Noel Bruce looked at the workers’ contract. Rohan McDonald facilitated the practical session at Orange Hill.

Williams said the training is important as workers need to have understanding of the certain things, like the contract they sign, before going off. He said they are also hoping to provide the workers with certificates.

“The training makes sure we have a pool of workers ready,” said Williams.

Currently over 325 Vincentians are employed on farms throughout Canada. In 2019, Vincentians working with the Canadian migrant farm workers’ programme sent home EC$12.9 million in remittances.