More Businesses Urged to Invest in Skills Training for Workforce Development Initiative

As the Skills Training for Workforce Development pilot advances, more businesses across Jamaica are being urged to invest in the initiative, to help more youngsters gain essential skills and access to meaningful employment opportunities.

Speaking at a Jamaica Information Service (JIS) Think Tank, on March 13, Vice President (Administration) of the Caribbean Military Academy, Jamaica Defence Force (JDF), Lieutenant Colonel Nadine Notice, said the invitation is open to both public and private-sector entities.

“A big part of the success of this programme hinges on us forging continued partnerships. The value proposition of this programme is that we are going to give you employees who are a cut above the rest,” she said.

Organisations can participate through internships, mentorships, and direct hiring opportunities, ensuring that this initiative continues to thrive and expand.

The Skills Training for Workforce Development initiative commenced in February and is administered under the Jamaica National Service Corps Programme.

Offered by the JDF, in partnership with HEART/NSTA Trust and the Private Sector Organisation of Jamaica (PSOJ), it targets participants aged 18 to 24 years.

This eight-month training and internship programme is designed to provide businesses with a pool of highly skilled and motivated employees trained in Business Administration and Electrical Installation.

Lt. Col. Notice noted that graduates will not only meet technical requirements but also demonstrate leadership and a commitment to excellence after the eight months.

“We believe wholeheartedly in the value that it will bring to the national workforce. We are teaching people skills but we want people to think differently. We want people to be able to own their space and to understand their role. So, if you are interested in this type of person, please partner with us and help us to make this programme into what we know it can be, which is a product that will have a massive impact on society,” she said.

Meanwhile, Executive Director of the PSOJ, Sacha Vaccianna-Riley, has joined the call for greater collaboration and is encouraging more PSOJ members to come on board.

“We hope that in the success of this first cohort of the programme, that it will set an example to encourage more and more businesses to engage in this programme, whether that is by offering internships to help the participants transition from the training to the workplace or in mentoring these young professionals,” she said.

Interested institutions can contact the PSOJ, Caribbean Military Academy or the JDF headquarters for more information on how they can get involved in the Skills Training for Workforce Development initiative.