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More males wanted for household worker award

Published:Monday | May 9, 2016 | 12:00 AMKeisha Hill
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Patrick Planter
Rosetta Steer (left), last year’s winner; Frances Madden, general manager, Grace and Staff Community Development Foundation; Grace Burnett, chief executive officer of the GraceKennedy Financial Group (second right); and Minister of Labour and Social Security Shahine Robinson (right) in discussion at the launch.
Patrick Planter
Edward McGowan (left), second place winner in the competition’s first year; Jasmin Miller (second left) and Charmaine Smith (centre), who placed second and third respectively in last year’s competition and Rosetta Steer, last year’s winner along with the inaugural winner of the competition Elaine Duncan (right) at the launch of the third annual GraceKennedy/ Heather Little- White Household Worker of the Year Award.
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Calling all men! If you are a household worker or know of any males who are doing well in this profession, the GraceKennedy Heather Little-White Household Worker Award welcomes your application.

At the launch held at the company's Harbour Street offices in downtown Kingston recently, a number of changes to the format of the award were announced, including the need for more male household workers for this year's competition.

Grace Burnett, speaking on behalf of GraceKennedy, group chief executive officer, Don Wehby, acknowledged the sterling performances of the women in the profession, indicated that more males needed to be recognised.

Wheby's speech acknowledged last year's winnersó Rosetta Steer, Jasmin Miller, and Charmaine Smith: congratulating them on all the work they had done and the progress they had made since winning the titles.

"While we acknowledge these women, I want us to also acknowledge that there are many men who work in our homes, doing the very same things that Rosetta, Jasmin, and Charmaine do. Men, though, are not getting enough recognition and credit for the role they play in our homes. That was something we wanted to ensure, so we paid special attention in this year's staging of the award."

Errol McGowan, who placed third in the competition's first year, was specially recognised. McGowan, a 'Jack and master of all trades' was said to be a symbol of pride and a true example for all male household workers to emulate. The reward package this year has also been increased to $1.4 million.

Four winners will be awarded this year : a top male and female household worker along with runner-up male and female winners. First-place winners will win $300,000 from GraceKennedy, an account with $30,000 from First Global Bank, and a $25,000 gift voucher from Hi-Lo Food Stores, and receive financial assistance for a secondary school student for a year to the tune of $100,000. Second-place winners will receive $200,000 from GraceKennedy, an account with $20,000 from First Global Bank, and a $15,000 gift voucher from Hi-Lo Food Stores. Nominations run from May 9 to June 6 and can be emailed to gracekennedy@gkco.com or posted to 73 Harbour Street, Kingston, or submitted online at gracekennedy.com/householdworker. Judges will choose eight finalists (four men and four women), and the top four winners chosen from that group and awarded at the final ceremony on June 15.

keisha.hill@gleanerjm.com