Once upon a time you could get a ‘decent’ paying job based on your GCE, now CXC, examinations results. Most companies would employ a person on the strength of those passes and proceed to train them on the specifics required for the particular job. Based on the performance and attitude of the employee most companies would continue to provide training in different aspects of the job encouraging personal growth for the employee and overall growth for the company.

Follow up:

Those days many people could not afford to attend university. Everyone acknowledged the benefits of a higher education and were determined that if they couldn’t get it then their children would. Some worked hard to send themselves to university after work. Some were determined that their children would get that opportunity even if they didn’t.
Now a days we have a high percentage of youngsters leaving universities with degrees ready for the work world. Most of these youngsters have no work experience, no fault of their own; everyone has to start some where.
But that is the problem, they are not being asked to start at the beginning like once upon a time. All of a sudden jobs that are being done by experienced people who know the job functions and do an excellent job are being reclassified and now needs a degree.
These beginners are suddenly placed on top and are expected to perform. What is even worst is that the person who is qualified by experienced now has to report to this inexperienced youngster and turnaround and teach them the job.
To add insult to injury, the same company that had no money to adequately pay the experienced person before is now paying the new comer twice as much. There is an old saying in Jamaica, ‘New broom sweep clean, but old broom know the corners’ Also ‘weh no dead, no dash wey’.
Now don’t get me wrong, I have nothing against university degrees and I know first hand that it cost a lot. I have two children that I have seen through it. However companies need to find a medium to respectfully acknowledge the people who helped to build there companies while embracing the ones who will take it to the next level.
Nuff Love