Returning Scholars Frowning Jobs

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BVI Platinum News

(PLTM) - Locals who are returning from legal studies on government scholarships, are not enticed by government jobs in the legal fraternity.

During the Standing Finance Committee (SFC) deliberations, Hon. Myron Walwyn, Minister of Education and Culture enquired why Crown Counsel are being brought in from overseas when there are so many local persons who are returning to the BVI on government scholarships, having completed their legal studies.

The Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), Ms. Kim Hollis QC is seeking to hire a fifth Crown Counsel. Currently, all the Crown Counsel in the DPP's office are BVIslanders, except for one.

In response to Minister Walwyn's question, Mrs. Tiffany Scatliffe-Esprit, Principal Crown Counsel in the Director of Public Prosecutions office said when that particular post (Crown Counsel) was filled by a non-BVIslander, they had advertised several times for Virgin Islanders who were coming home.

She however noted that none of them were interested in working for the government, yet alone the office of the DPP.

The Principal Crown Counsel further stated that criminal prosecution is not a glamorous job and it does not pay well, which is what she has been told to her face by many recruits.

According to records, a Crown Counsel's emolument ranges from $42,486.00 to $67,509.00 annually.

Scatliffe-Esprit added that she has personally tried to recruit persons that she knew had gone to the United Kingdom (UK) or the University of the West Indies to study. She further stated that they have told her they have no interest in working in the DPP's office.

She explained that at the time when they had recruited a non-BVIslander, all of the applicants had been non-BVIslanders.

It was further noted that in the last round of recruiting for the Crown Counsel position in late 2016, two Virgin Islanders had applied, but because of the length of time it had taken for the process to be completed, those two persons had already found positions elsewhere within the Territory.

Minister Walwyn suggested that for the next round of recruitment, it may be helpful for the office of the DPP to contact the Scholarship Unit within the Ministry of Education and Culture, as a way of making sure that BVIslanders who are returning to the BVI are aware that the positions exist.

He spoke of an instance where three weeks prior, a young man who had recently graduated came to see him and would have liked to work for the office of the DPP. Hon. Walwyn stated that the Ministry could help the DPP to contact someone who is studying and is about to return.

The Minister expressed that he does not like the idea of bringing in newly qualified Crown Counsel from overseas, with no experience, when they have persons in the Territory at the same level.

He said that the point that he is making is that every effort should be made to ensure that persons who are away studying on government scholarships can take advantage of available positions, not only in the office of the DPP, but in other departments as well.

Meanwhile, Opposition Leader, Hon. Andrew Fahie stated that based on policies, it is the duty of the Training Division to clearly indicate when persons on study leave would be returning from their studies and are given the first preference for positions.

The former Education Minister also recommended that some kind of update should be provided to either the Cabinet or the House of Assembly to ensure that the voids are being filled and considered based on the systems that government has step up.

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