The Minister of Industry, Investment and Commerce, Senator the Hon. Aubyn Hill, is encouraging businesses to implement apprenticeship programmes for unattached youth. His call follows the Government’s desire to address labour shortages across several sectors. “We [as a Ministry] support businesses. We support you in middle management but you in business must train a lot more and must upskill our...

The distribution of 10,000 helmets to motorcycle riders is expected to begin in June. Making the announcement while addressing a recent meeting of the National Road Safety Council, Prime Minister, the Most Hon. Andrew Holness, said the procurement process has started. Mr. Holness announced the programme while making his contribution to the 2023/24 Budget Debate in the House of Representatives,...

The Ministry of Labour and Social Security is replacing its existing legacy work permit process with a new web-based, mobile-friendly work permit and skills certificate management system at a cost of US$927,000. Portfolio Minister, Hon. Karl Samuda, made the disclosure during his contribution to the 2023/24 sectoral debate in the House of Representatives on April 26. Currently, the average processing...

The Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF) will be staging an expo for members of the public from May 11 to 14, at the National Arena in Kingston. The event, dubbed ‘Transformations – People, Quality and Technology (PQT) Expo’, is described as a historical moment for the JCF, promising to deliver on cutting-edge technology-driven exhibits and booths. Speaking at a JIS Think...

Jamaicans are being urged to remain vigilant in conserving water as the country continues to be affected by a meteorological drought. “We are pleading with citizens to be circumspect with their use of the precious commodity at this time. We're asking you to desist from watering lawns and certainly desist from washing cars for now,” implored Minister without Portfolio in...

There was a slight rebound in Jamaica’s rainfall levels for the month of March, but the country continues to face a meteorological drought. “Rainfall was not as bad as it could have been, and so, we take comfort in [that] fact,” said Principal Director of the Meteorological Service of Jamaica, Evan Thompson, at a post-Cabinet press briefing, today (April 26)....

The Government has digitised the Traffic Ticket Management System (TTMS) with electronic ticketing capability, which now provides a foundation for efficient public-order enforcement and better use of fixed-fine regimes. “It is working. We have seen our officers issuing the tickets. They are issuing 7,000-plus tickets per week, with 800 ticket machines,” Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of National Security, Hon....