Opposition Leader Emphasises Development of Human Capital

Leader of the Opposition, Andrew Holness, has suggested that with the proposed development of Goat Island as a logistics hub, efforts should be made to develop the necessary human capital that will be of benefit to the sector.

“Jamaica has always been close to the major shipping routes and we have had a port for a long while. Aside from the infrastructure investment required, which we will see if the Goat Island project materializes, we need the investment in human capital,” Mr. Holness said.

The Opposition Leader was making his contribution to the 2014/15 Budget Debate in the House of Representatives, on April 24.

Mr. Holness recommended that the Government combine the training sections in the Ministry of Education with some aspects of the Ministries of Finance; Industry and Commerce; and Science, Technology, Energy and Mining, to create a Ministry of Knowledge, Economy and Growth.

He explained that some of the tasks of the new Ministry could be to: increase training in the workforce; ensure knowledge transfer from foreign workers; establish a system of National Apprenticeship and Internship for Jamaican youth; ensure that skills and know-how match industry needs, both current and projected, to reduce frictional unemployment; and develop Jamaica as the regional training hub.

“We must ensure that our people are well trained as part of the competitive advantage of our business destination, so that it’s more cost effective to use local workers,” Mr. Holness said.