Probe the OJT

THE EDITOR: In light of the Cabinet reshuffle I am appealing to the new Honourable Minister of Science, Technology and Tertiary Education to launch an investigation into the On-the-Job-Training programme (OJT). I must say the OJT programme is a great way in which the youths of Trinidad and Tobago between the ages of 18-30 years would be able to acquire working experience after leaving school and further curb the issue of delinquency, which is haunting our country today. I must commend the Government for implementing such.

On the other hand, the programme tends to exploit our youths. The trainees are placed at various Government ministries and private organisations. However, they receive their monthly stipends from the host ministry. At the end of the month the trainees are forced to call the ministry on a daily basis begging and pleading for their stipends and I must add the OJT contract states that a trainee has to assume duties two (2) months prior to receiving stipends. This is totally unfair, unethical and unacceptable.

The problem is that they have the same OJTs working in the Accounts department in the ministry whose responsibilities include: preparing the trainees’ stipends and distributing cheques on a monthly basis without supervision to these irate trainees who do not receive their stipends until sometimes the third week of the following month. It is extremely hard for someone to work and I must say work because some of these trainees work more than permanent staff and then have to beg for their pay is nonsense. On top of that, the numerous attempts to contact the ministry sometimes prove futile or you are responded to by rude, unmannered, indisciplined persons who have no telephone etiquette whatsoever, they are very much disrespectful and out of control.

For instance, they put you on hold and you are able to hear their entire conversation whether it’s their cell phones ringing or their unhealthy outburst of laughter. I am totally disappointed because these said persons are supposed to be training for the working world, and they are also exposed to seminars and workshops that pertain to office behaviour, conduct and telephone etiquette. So what is the problem? Come on. The ministry is totally ineffective with its extremely poor customer service. It’s a complete waste of taxpayers’ money. I am pleading to the Honourable Minister to please address this situation with immediate effect in order to save our youths from further destruction.

D MORALES
Port-of-Spain