President Moreno Tours IDB-Funded Steps to Work Programme

President of the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB), Luis Alberto Moreno, on Thursday (December 18) toured the Jamaica German Automotive School (JAGAS) where he observed activities under the IDB-funded Steps to Work programme.

The tour of the Maxfield Avenue institution was the first stop on Mr. Moreno’s itinerary of activities, following his arrival at the Norman Manley International Airport for a two-day official visit to the island.

The IDB Head and his party were met on their arrival at JAGAS, by a number of officials and dignitaries, headed by Finance and Planning Minister, Dr. the Hon. Peter Phillips.

Also on hand to welcome the IDB Head were: State Minister in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, Hon. Arnaldo Brown; Director General of Planning Institute of Jamaica (PIOJ), Colin Bullock; Executive Director of the HEART Trust/NTA, Dr. Wayne Wesley; and Director of Social Security, Ministry of Labour and Social Security, Denzil Thorpe.

Mr. Moreno was taken on an interactive tour of the institution by Board Chairman of the HEART Trust/NTA, Moses Peart, who gave him a synopsis of the work being done under the Steps to Work training and certification programme.

The initiative targets 1,060 Programme of Advancement Through Health and Education (PATH) beneficiaries island-wide with the aim of providing social assistance through training and development.

Coordinated by the Ministry of Labour and Social Security and the HEART Trust/NTA, Steps to Work is supported through funding from the IDB and designed to assist PATH beneficiaries through several interventions such as on the job training, skills training and remedial training.

Approximately 20 Steps to Work trainees are currently enrolled in the one-year programme at (JAGAS), where they are pursuing a course in Motor Vehicle Engine Systems.

Once the students complete their training they will advance to the second phase of on-the-job training programme in 2015, also to be financed by the IDB.

Mr. Moreno’s visit to the island coincides with activities surrounding the celebration of the IDB’s 45years of partnership with Jamaica and will include meetings with Prime Minister, the Most Hon. Portia Simpson Miller; Dr. Phillips; other senior government officials; Opposition Leader, Andrew Holness and representatives of Jamaica’s civil society and corporate sector on his visit.

He will also visit several IDB-funded projects, a ground-breaking ceremony at the construction site of the new IDB offices in Kingston, and a cultural reception for IDB partners, stakeholders and staff.

Mr. Moreno departs the island on Friday, December 19.