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Prime Minister Bruce Golding has called for an assessment to be made of the futuristic requirements of the job market and that based on this assessment, training programmes be tailored to meet expected investments. Mr. Golding has given the assurance that major investments are coming Jamaica's way but he expressed concern that the workforce capability will not get very far...

Reducing violent crimes, including dismantling organized criminal networks, is one of the key strategies for achieving security and prosperity, which is highlighted in the National Security Policy (NSP) for Jamaica. The policy, which was unveiled to residents of Kingston at the Walk Di Talk Community action meeting on Tuesday (Oct. 16) at the Jamaica Conference Centre, has broader goals than...

Business operators in Montego Bay are benefiting from the Companies Office of Jamaica's (COJ) mobile outreach, where they are being sensitized on issues such as company registration; the filing of annual returns, change of directors, secretaries and the registered office, as well as business name registration. The three-day outreach, which concludes on (Oct. 18), forms part of an island-wide public...

Minister of State for Agriculture, J.C. Hutchinson, has called for renewed commitment among all stakeholders to address the plight of the underfed and undernourished in the country. Speaking at the World Food Day Awards ceremony held recently at the Knutsford Court Hotel in Kingston, Mr. Hutchinson urged stakeholders not to become complacent in spite of evidence indicating a reduction in...

Cabinet has appointed a committee to monitor and evaluate the public sector Memorandum of Understanding among the government, trade unions and staff associations. Health and Environment Minister, Rudyard Spencer, speaking at the (Oct. 17) post-Cabinet press briefing held at Jamaica House, said that the committee members including himself, Minister without Portfolio in the Ministry of Finance and Public Service, Senator...

Seven residents of the parish of St. James were on Monday (Oct. 15) presented with the prestigious Sam Sharpe Award of Excellence, for outstanding contribution to their communities in various fields. The presentations were made at the National Heroes Day civic ceremony, which was held at Sam Sharpe Square in Montego Bay. The awardees were: Cynthia Grant-Brown and Mabel Hartey...

Three Jamaicans are among eight persons and one organization to be honoured by the Jamaica Organization of New Jersey (JON-J) for professional excellence. The Jamaicans, educators Dr. Thelma Thompson and Dr. Marcia Keizs, and Olympian Dorian Scott, will be presented with awards for excellence at the organization's 7th annual gala slated for November 3 in New Jersey. The black tie...

St. Andrew homeowners Gladstone and Emma Hutchinson are reaping success from their backyard gardening project, harvesting pumpkins weighing up to 25 pounds. A graduate of Knockalva College in 1948, Mr. Hutchinson told JIS News that as far back as he could remember he has always done backyard gardening with moderate success. "I've always planted something, calaloo, table tomatoes, corn, okra...

Government is contemplating the establishment of a community land titling programme, to enable persons who own land, but do not have titles, to use this asset when seeking credit from financial institutions. This disclosure came on (Oct 17) when Prime Minister Hon. Bruce Golding met with representatives of the Jamaica Co-operative Credit Union League (JCCUL), at Jamaica House. Mr Golding...

The Office of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management (ODPEM) has been advised by the Meteorological Service that a FLASH FLOOD WATCH is now in effect for low-lying and flood-prone areas of all parishes across Jamaica until 5:00 p.m. today. A FLASH FLOOD WATCH means that flash flooding is possible. In response the ODPEM has activated its duty team and all...

Minister of National Security Derrick Smith, this morning met with members of the Police Officers Association. The meeting comes in the wake of the recent announcement by Police Commissioner Lucius Thomas that he will be leaving office October 31. The meeting which was cordial saw the POA members expressing certain concerns regarding the action of the Police Service Commission. The...

A six-week beautification and public education programme, estimated to cost $40 million and targeting the island's tourist resort areas, will be launched next week. Minister of Tourism, Edmund Bartlett, who announced the programme in Montego Bay recently, following a meeting with stakeholders in the tourism industry, said that the initiative will be financed through the Tourism Enhancement Fund and private...