104 Young Entrepreneurs from Tel Aviv and South Side Trained Under Renewal Project

Approximately 104 young entrepreneurs from the Tel Aviv and South Side communities, in Kingston, have received training in small business management, under the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB)/Urban Renewal project.
According to a Ministerial Report, tabled in the House of Representatives recently, by Minister of Industry, Investment and Commerce, Hon. Karl Samuda, 32 businesses have been approved to benefit from a loan fund under the project, while 28 businesses were registered with the Companies Offices of Jamaica.
Some 120 students have also participated in the HEART Trust/NTA certified programmes, including auto mechanics, housekeeping, cosmetology and commercial food preparation.
“There is an internship/on the job component, where 63 young persons from the communities are receiving on the job training from host companies, including the Jamaica Constabulary Force, Ministry of Justice, Runaway Bay HEART Hotel and Morgan’s Harbour Hotel,” the report said.
According to the report, approximately 250 men and women have also received employment in the various components of the project.
“Persons were employed in construction and repair of the units, cleaning of vacant lots and communities, painting of murals and erecting street signs, transporting construction material, transporting beneficiaries and goods when necessary and providing catering service,” the report said.
In addition, 45 persons from South Side and Tel Aviv are participating in a literacy programme.
The project is funded by the Government and the IDB. The purpose of the project is to enhance the social and economic welfare of the communities in the low income Central Kingston neighbourhood, namely the Tel Aviv and South Side communities. Components of the project include business training and development, environmental upgrading and youth development.