Boost For Animation Industry

Young persons who are skilled in animation are to be provided with more opportunities as the Government has allocated $70 million in the 2015/2016 Budget for the Youth Employment in Digital and Creative Industries project.

The programme was first launched in September 2014, and this year, provisions have been made for the purchasing of 190 computers, 385 tablets, 335 2D software licences and 40 software upgrades for an animation laboratory, at a cost of $24.616 million.

It will also see the procurement of consultancy services for animation training programmes, development of ‘Digital Jam’ and ‘Kingstoon’, costing some $11 million. The initiative is a US$20 million five-year project, targeting some 15,000 young Jamaicans.

Other aspects of the programme being spearheaded by the Ministry of Science, Technology, Energy and Mining are the engagement of consultants to conduct background studies to guide the development of an Animation Industry Policy and Science, Technology and Innovation (STI) Policy in Jamaica, and the hiring of professionals to manage the Start-up Jamaica Technology Hub.

Initial work on the project included support for the establishment of training in Tech Start-Up companies, and the establishment of an angel investor network and Government sidecar fund.

It also involved the setting up of a Project Implementation Unit (PIU) infrastructure, acquiring of licences and maintenance agreements for 2D and 3D workshops, as well as training and workshop sessions on access to finance for youth.

The project involves collaboration with the Ministries of Finance and Planning; Industry, Investment and Commerce; Education; Youth and Culture; the Development Bank of Jamaica (DBJ); Jamaica Promotions Corporation (JAMPRO), and the Office of the Prime Minister.