Labour and Social Security Minister, Derrick Kellier, has said that the ministry will be increasing its public education drive to make more persons aware of the numerous overseas job opportunities that are now available.

Mr. Kellier, who made the announcement on 'Independent Talk' on Power 106FM on Wednesday, said there has been an increase in the demand for Jamaicans for the ministry's farm work and hotel workers programmes in particular.

He said in most instances the ministry does not have enough persons to fill the existing vacancies.

"There are a lot more opportunities still there and there are times when they make requests, which we can't fill," he said.

More training

Mr. Kellier said the ministry was currently in partnership with the HEART Trust/NTA to undertake more training to get more persons certified for the programme.

He said the ministry would be conducting more public education on the ground, to inform persons in rural and inner-city communities about the opportunities under the various overseas work programmes.

"I think we need to do much more on the ground in respect of allowing our people to get this information because a lot of them do not have the information that these opportunities abound," he said.

Approximately 14,000 Jamaicans are employed in the Labour Ministry's overseas employment programmes.