Growth and Job Creation the Way Forward – PM

Prime Minister, the Most Hon. Portia Simpson Miller, says Jamaica is going for growth, with the emphasis on job creation.

Mrs. Simpson Miller, who was speaking at the groundbreaking ceremony for 32 housing units in Majesty Gardens, South West St. Andrew, on March 26, reiterated that the Government is not interested in jobless growth, and is seeking to expand employment.

“We are not just seeking to contain inflation, reduce the debt and maintain a stable exchange rate; we want to expand employment for our people, particularly the most vulnerable,” Mrs. Simpson Miller said.

She informed that $11 million of the $175.2 million budgeted for construction of the housing units in Phase 1A, will be spent on labour.

“This construction will not only provide housing for the community, but it will also provide jobs. Young people who are trained under the YUTE Build programme, will be employed during the construction phase,” she noted.

YUTE Build is a construction training programme funded by the National Housing Trust (NHT) and administered by YUTE Limited, a Private Sector Organisation of Jamaica (PSOJ) initiative. Under the programme, the HEART Trust provides certification after 18 months of training, and the persons employed through the Jamaica Emergency Employment Programme (JEEP).

The programme aims to empower young people in inner-city communities by improving their employability through mentorship and skills upgrading; and providing opportunities for gainful employment.

In welcoming the new housing development, Mrs. Simpson Miller told the residents that houses do more than provide a roof over one’s head, they also represent economic potential. “You can use the property as collateral to do business and to advance yourselves. A title unlocks opportunities,” she said.

The Prime Minister noted that it was as a result of her strong advocacy for inner-city development, that the inner-city housing programme was implemented.

In the meantime, NHT Chairman, Easton Douglas, said the agency has begun several social programmes in Majesty Gardens, in collaboration with other State entities, which are designed to empower members to improve themselves and their community.

He further informed that several young persons are being recruited to participate in Phase 2 of the YUTE Build programme.

President of the Majesty Gardens Benevolent Society, Wayne Bernard, expressed gratitude for the additional houses and to the different agencies that have intervened and assisted the community.

He encouraged community members to continue their participation in various empowering programmes available in the community, emphasizing that it is better to be qualified for the job and wait on one, than not to have the qualification and so is unable to participate when the opportunities arise.

“Let us continue to elevate, and uplift and empower ourselves so that when the development arise, we are in the best position to take the best opportunity,”  Mr. Bernard encouraged.