IN JAMAICA: Few jobs, hundreds of applicants at the new fast food chain, KFC, slated to be opened in Portmore, St. Catherine...There will be some 40 jobs on offer....A number of people, however, left the recruitment site disappointed after their applications were rejected for different reasons. For Fletcher-Brown, the pill she had to swallow. "Them say me over-qualified. You know how many people come here with diplomas?

BY KARYL WALKER walkerk@jamaicaobserver.com  Wednesday, May 07, 2014    

NADINE Fletcher-Brown tried her best to smile yesterday, but the disappointment of not being eligible for a job at a branch of the fast food chain, KFC, was evident.

Fletcher-Brown was among hundreds of people who had descended on the New Testament Church of God in Bayside, Portmore, St Catherine for jobs at a new branch of the fast food chain now under construction.

Applicants for KFC jobs

A number of people, however, left the recruitment site disappointed after their applications were rejected for different reasons.

For Fletcher-Brown, the pill she had to swallow. "Them say me over-qualified. You know how many people come here with diplomas? How is someone over-qualified for a job?" she asked.

Another applicant was a bit luckier as he reported that he was accepted. "Well at least me can look forward for a job when the restaurant opens," said the smiling man, who did not want his name to be used.

The new KFC restaurant will be located on Grange Lane in front of the community of West Cumberland, and is slated to open in mid-summer. There will be some 40 jobs on offer.

The Jamaica Observer was pointed to a woman who was said to be the supervisor in charge yesterday, but she was not very helpful when asked to comment on the recruitment. "I have nothing to say to the media. You can see for yourself that things are going well. Call the head office," the woman said.

As she spoke she instructed a woman seated at a desk in front of her how to fill out an application form. The woman eagerly followed her instructions.

The droves of applicants was an indication of the high unemployment rate in the municipality of Portmore, one man said. "People don't have any jobs and will even take jobs that they would not usually think of, just to survive. I did not get accepted but I am not going to lose heart because I know I will have to come through soon or things going fall apart for me and my family," the man said. more