182 Information Technology Centres Established

A total of 182 information technology (IT) resource and skills training centres have been established across the country, as the Government continues to provide Jamaicans with access to information technology (IT).

Prime Minister, the Most Hon. Portia Simpson Miller, said that an additional 49 such facilities are being built and nearly 150 applications for similar centres are awaiting approval. In addition, she said, the Government is increasing Internet and broadband access throughout Jamaica.

Mrs. Simpson Miller, who was addressing the opening of the Caribbean Palm Estate IT centre in her South West St. Andrew constituency on September 17, urged Jamaicans, particularly young people, to take advantage of these facilities and services.

She said the technology revolution provides numerous opportunities for employment and wealth creation.

She noted that other initiatives, such as the US$20 million Government of Jamaica (GoJ)/World Bank-funded ‘Youth Employment in Digital and Animation Industries’ project, and the Start-up Jamaica accelerator project, are designed to generate self-employment and empower young people to access well paying jobs.

She stressed the need for young people to equip themselves with IT skills in order to grasp the many opportunities that are available.

Mrs. Simpson Miller said mastering IT starts with understanding the basic use of the computer.

“It can transform your lives and move people out of economic difficulties toward economic well-being. If you know how to use the computer, you are better able to get a job and to do well in that job or you can use it to create your own job,” she remarked.

The Prime Minister told her constituents that they can earn money and create their own business opportunities right there in the community.

“For example, you can assist persons to write letters and prepare documents for a small fee. You can also learn skills like software development, programming, and animation,” she said.

She noted that they can also make movies and record music, using cameras and smart phones and edit these on their computers. “You can learn graphic design and all sorts of other design skills, becoming a part of the creative economy,” Mrs. Simpson Miller suggested.

She threw out a challenge for a group of young people to get together and make a documentary on her life, as the first female Prime Minister of Jamaica, “who came from humble beginnings”.

“You might very well have it turn out to be a bestseller,” she said.