Labour Department launches survey to uncover skills shortages and unfilled jobs 

By Val Matthias. Updated 6:00 a.m., Friday, September 25, 2026, Atlantic Standard Time (GMT-4). 

The Department of Labour is preparing to launch a nationwide survey aimed at gaining a clearer picture of the country’s employment needs, job vacancies and workforce challenges.

The 2026 Job Openings and Labour Turnover Survey(JOLTS), also known as the Labour Demand Survey, will be conducted from October 1 to November 30, 2026.

The survey is being undertaken by the Department of Labour within the Ministry of the Family and Gender Affairs, Persons with Disabilities and Labour, with support from the Statistical Office and other stakeholders.

Saint Vincent and the Grenadines is one of three countries participating in the initiative, which forms part of the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States Data for Decision Making Project, funded by the World Bank Group.

Unlike traditional labour-force surveys that focus on workers and employment levels, the Job Openings and Labour Turnover Survey will focus on employers, collecting information on vacancies, hiring activity, staff departures and recruitment difficulties. 

Officials say the findings will help identify areas where businesses are struggling to find workers and where additional training or workforce development may be needed. Based on that evidence, policymakers will be better positioned to align training programmes with labour-market demand

Ahead of the field exercise, enumerators and supervisors will undergo training from September 21, to 23 and September 25at the National Insurance Services Conference Room .

The Department of Labour is encouraging all selected employers and enterprises to participate fully and provide accurate information when contacted by trained survey personnel.

Officials say the findings will help create a stronger evidence base for decisions affecting employment, training and economic development in Saint Vincent and the Grenadines.

END

About the Author: This story was written and submitted by freelance journalist Mr. Val Matthias, a trained communicator with more than two decades in the media sector. He holds a Bachelor of Arts in Media and Communication (UWI Mona), a Master of Science in Tourism and Hospitality Management (UWI Cave Hill), a Certificate in Digital Marketing, and has years of broadcast journalism experience rising to ranks of a programme manager. All supporting materials for this story have been presented, vetted, and verified. Mr Matthias can be reached at [email protected]