GOJ/IDB Energy Efficiency Programme Spurs Job Creation

Project Director of the Government of Jamaica/Inter-American Development Bank Energy Efficiency/Conservation Programme (GOJ/IDB EE/C), Wayne Williams, says that since the start-up of the programme, there has been growth in job creation and the formation of new enterprises.

“The air-condition contractors, because of the volume of work, they now have to employ new staff and technical personnel.  We’ve also had people from HEART Trust/NTA come in to talk with us to see if the contractors could become part of their Apprenticeship programme and have their trained students become interns and apprentices,” he informed.

Mr. Williams, who was speaking at a JIS ‘Think Tank’ on October  13, said the project  is good, not only for the country’s economy but also for environmental preservation, training, and job creation, particularly due to the volume of work generated in applying the various energy efficiency and conservation strategies.

He also pointed out that the application of another energy efficiency strategy, the Solar Control Film, which is applied to windows and glass doors, has led to the creation of more suppliers.

“We’re seeing a lot more persons requesting the service, and the people who supply the film and the people who apply the film are seeing growth in that industry,” he added.

In the area of the application of the ‘Cool Roof’ strategy, Mr. Williams pointed out that because that strategy is a bit more costly, growth in that sector is slow, but there has been some movement.

There has also been growth in the number of persons and organisations providing consultation to homeowners or business enterprises seeking solutions to reducing their energy bill or making their environment cooler.

The four-year GOJ/IDB EE/C, which is designed to implement energy conservation strategies in public buildings, in the first phase, expires in December 2015, but is expected to get a further two-year extension due to its success.