Jamaica and Canada Celebrate 60-Year SAWP Partnership with Scholarship Programme

The Ministry of Labour and Social Security, in partnership with Ontario Fruit and Vegetable Growers’ Association (OFVGA), launched a scholarship programme to support the children of current farm workers participating in the Seasonal Agricultural Workers Programme (SAWP) in Ontario, Canada.

The grant, valued at Can$10,000, is aimed at offsetting educational and school-related expenses for 10 children or wards of SAWP workers.

Each successful scholar will receive $115,000 to be used for books, uniforms, exam fees, transportation, lunch, among other school expenses.

Speaking at the launch event held at the Ministry’s North Street office on Thursday (February 5), Portfolio Minister, Hon. Pearnel Charles Jr. welcomed the initiative, highlighting the broader effect of education.

“The thing about education is that it has a multiplier effect. That’s what we want from this scholarship, to have a positive multiplier effect echoing across the communities so that these 10 scholarships will multiply into hundreds of persons being impacted to want to do more. I believe that because it is blessed, this investment is going to be a blessing to many,” Minister Charles Jr. said.

He also noted that the scholarship is a representation of the broader vision of the Ministry and OFVGA to show that worker welfare, education, and opportunity are intricately linked.

Additionally, the scholarship is a commemoration of the 60-year partnership between Jamaica and CANADA to create SAWP, which addresses labour shortage in Canada’s agricultural sector while providing consistent employment for Jamaicans.

Minister Charles Jr. expressed that with the implementation of the OFVGA Scholarship Programme, the partnership between Jamaica and Canada will stand the test of time.

“That’s why we see this as a symbol of the strength and the enduring and lasting relationship that I believe will stand another 60 years. Things are changing… but I believe that once we continue to have conversations, plan, strategise, be agile… we will be able to formulate and adjust to make sure that this programme continues to be relevant,” the Minister said.

The scholarship is open to children or wards of current farm workers who have been in the SAWP in Ontario, Canada, for three or more continuous years.

The farm worker should also be with the same employer for the qualifying period.

Additionally, students must be enrolled in a recognised secondary institution and attain at least a ‘B’ average on their most recent report cards.

Potential recipients must not have benefited from the JN Money Fields of Opportunity Scholarship.

The supporting documents to be eligible for the scholarship include farm workers providing proof of participating with the same employer in the province of Ontario; a birth certificate for the child or other relevant documentation showing guardianship and the student’s report card.

OFVGA Communications Adviser, Benjamin Murray, hailed the importance of SAWP and the 60-year collaboration that has resulted in the scholarship programme.

“The workers’ hard work and commitment mean a great deal to our farms and our communities back home. This scholarship is something we’re extremely proud of…, supporting a participant’s child and continuing their education is a meaningful way for us to give back, while also recognising the sacrifices that these families and workers have to make year after year,” Mr. Murray stated.

Application for the OFVGA Scholarship Programme opens on April 1, 2026 and closes June 30, 2026.

Successful applicants will be awarded for the 2026/2027 academic year.

For further information, persons may call the Ministry’s Family Services Unit at 876-676-5557 or 876-676-5659.