nrj4life

Hi everyone, I have been checking out this site and have found some amazing information. You all have helped me so much, however I do have some unanswered questions...

Me and my fiancee recently decided to move to Barbados in the next few years. However, we are really struggling to find what types of skills would be most in demand down there. Its important for us to know soon. I've already graduated college but am going back because I doubt there are any jobs for video game programmer down there. We are both going back to college in January, and we don't want to waste time nor money if you guys know what I mean. I'm mostly interested in IT, programmer, web design, etc. My fiancee more into human resources, social work, travel industry, government jobs, etc.

Anyone know of some in demand jobs? Jobs that pay well?

My fiancee is guyanese and I was born in Barbados. If anyone is wondering..

Thanks!

zanne

nrj4life I would say that with the economic situation that it is hard to predict what jobs will be in demand in a few years here in Barbados, it is really anyones guess. Unless you are coming to Barbados to set up your own business or on a contract I would say expect local wages...You might be disappointed if you spend time going back to school now only to find that the demand for a particular position is gone.

Foxy_fromCanada

I agree with Zanne.

If you both have the ability to be here through citizenship (and therefore don't need a work permit), then it might just be easier to set up your own business. I just suggested that to someone else, too. That way, you can write off some of your expenses, too. Which makes you more flexible in terms of salary.

Rather than spending a pile of money on going back to school, you could try a little "self-teach" and start your own business from there. You probably have a good base knowledge of IT things... you could do some online learning and offer your services at a discounted rate until you get up to speed. Set yourself up as a consultant. Your fiancee could probably do the same, as a consultant.

Good luck

nrj4life

Ok. Really my fiancée had her heart set on working in eiter the travel industry, in the government perhaps human resources, or social work. As for me I always had a passion for something in IT. Would it be safe to say coming to Barbados those will turn into dreams? Or are they possible?

Serendipidy

Hi Nrj4life

Im an IT Consultant and would suggest you try and get hold of a copy of the Barbados ICT vision for 2012 white paper. ICT as they call it here (Information Communication Technology) is about to explode over the next 5 years with the major caricom players rolling out Government E-portals. These are services on line ie pay land tax, register a birth, apply for citizenship etc. Trinidad and Jamaica are already well advanced in their planning of their roll out and Barbados are currently doing the leg work of trying to educate citizens on the value of IT and also providing cheap access where possible.

Therefore your dream to train in IT and bring value to Barbaodos couldnt be at a better time. I would suggest that you find something to specialise in though as UWI is turning out countless web designers and network administrators and there are plenty of people offering Computer Awareness Courses. Maybe you could research other Countries E-Portals and see what specialist skills you might be able to see were used.

Also as the others have suggested it might be beneficial for you to setup your own company here as a consultant especially as there are big perks for ICT companies re tax etc (although i think they might be international business).

Re your fiancee's dreams then recruitment at present is an open market with very few known recruitment companies - maybe you guys could specialise in IT recruitment - social care is also something this new government talks about having a passion for.

If i can help or be of advice over the next few years keep in touch as its nice to see young people with such driven dreams

Dipidy

nrj4life

Hi Dipidy,

thanks alot for the help. You have really given us guidance on what we should really lean towards. I was thinking of going along the lines of Web Designer/Programmer, however if UWI is producing individuals with those skills at a fast rate, perhaps I should look elsewhere.

I have been looking into IT consulting, and I must say it sounds quite interesting as well as very promising. Even my finacee, who's not that into computer took it with some interest.

If you don't mind me asking, how do you like being an IT Consultant?

Serendipidy

Hi nrj

A Consultant is normally one who has developed and honed their craft to such a stage that they can resell it on a daily/project basis rather than as an employee. Therefore being an IT Consultant usually means you specialise in a certain area of IT and have been doing that specialism for a while (i have been in my specialised area for 20 years). Consultancy in any field means you can get to work when you want to and for multiple clients at a time however to earn that status you will probably find you will have to work your way through a few standard employee jobs first.

Therefore my suggestion would be to find a niche area to study and then focus in on it and become an expert in that area - others in IT or your own research should be able to help you see what might be big in the next 5 years in the IT arena. (I am a bit too focussed on my own area to be able to advise whats hot and wats not)

Another suggestion might be for your partner to study HR complexities as well as sales of some kind then running an IT recruitment company may well be a specialist area for the whole Caricom.

Food For Thought

Dipidy

nrj4life

Hi Dipidy,

My fiancee has been interested in HR, however she was never quite sure if she could find anything in Barbados.

Which remind me, she was born in Guyana. Me in Barbados. Would it be recommended for her to apply and go through all of the paperwork before or after marriage?

nrj4life

We have been considering our own company, however we would have to see how everything plays out in the next few years. Right now we don't have that kind of money to open a company and really couldn't afford the risk. It's great and we are considering it, however we would like to know we can get jobs in our chosen areas if it doesn't go so well. She wants to study in HR or sales, if she knows she can still be successful in her field if we don't open a business.

Btw, thanks so much Dipidy for all of the advice. You've been a big help to us both in such a short time!

Serendipidy

No probs - good luck with it all - sorry cant help about paperwork but there are plenty of others on here who will be able to chip in on that question

Dipidy

nrj4life

Thank you! We plan on coming out the end of June for a few weeks to hopefully answer some of the other questions we still have, that I have not yet seen answered on this forum.

Tell me, if a business were not to work out, how hard would it be for my fiancee to find employment in the government, marketing or HR?

Sorry for being a pain. The minds race for answers.

Sunniebgi

I'm just going to say this straight. Guyanese living in Barbados are not looked upon in the greatest of favor.

For her to work here without proper documentation, meaning residency or citizenship or work permit, even being part of the CSME agreement, might be a real problem. I'm going to strongly encourage you to speak to the Barbadian Embassy/consulate where you are, and make sure of what you are doing when it comes to your fiance. She will not "just be able to get a job". I don't know all the ends and outs so you need to really talk to the people that have those answers (or at least should have those answers)

nrj4life

We are well aware she will not have special treatment, and that she will have to go through the same process as everyone else before she can work. We plan on applying soon as it is such a long and tiring process.

Serendipidy

Tell me, if a business were not to work out, how hard would it be for my fiancee to find employment in the government, marketing or HR?

Sorry for being a pain. The minds race for answers.[/QUOTE]

To be honest without being a citizen of Barbados virtually impossible - there are not enough jobs for locals let alone others who "take a fancy" to the island and decide they would like to live and work here.

The 3 areas you have mentioned are all well covered on the island hence why most peoples suggestion was to set up yourself.

Where are you located and living at present?

Sunnie's reference to Guyanese and this government was not that you might be expecting favouritism but there seems to be an ongoing immigration feud between the two countries so unfortunately she may get the opposite of favourtism.


Remember this country has a tiny population of less than 270,000 people and an excellent infrastructure of education and finance so there is very little room for growth and very little in the way of staff that is not already here. The government has a stringent immigration and work policy that would have saved the UK millions if we had adhered to it.

Therefore have your dreams in your pockets but your reality check in your hands when visting in June as those coming here with ideas that its simple leave with dreams in tatters.

Dipidy

nrj4life

We are presently living in Toronto, Canada. I have a lot of family in Barbados. After spending plenty of time thinking and researching we decided Barbados would be a much better place to live and have a family. Everyone's advice has been great. After our visit, if we both like what we see and hear, she will apply when we get back to Canada.

Perhaps you are right Dipidy. Maybe she should also look into a specific area in IT and become a specialist in it as well. Even if she were granted citizenship, it may be her best bet to find employment if a business does not work out. Technology is always changing and becoming more advanced. Both businesses and people are relying more on it now than ever.