Over 1,500 PATH Households to Benefit from Digital Literacy and Skills Training Project

Over 1,500 households on the Programme of Advancement through Health and Education (PATH) will benefit from digital literacy and skills training under a partnership between the Universal Service Fund (USF) and telecommunications firm, Flow.

Representatives of the entities, on Friday (June 23), signed a Project Funding Agreement at the Petroleum Corporation of Jamaica (PCJ) Auditorium in Kingston to facilitate pilot implementation of the engagement under Flow’s ‘Jump’ initiative.

In his remarks during the signing ceremony, Minister of Science, Energy, Telecommunications and Transport, Hon. Daryl Vaz, said the pilot is a monumental step towards digital inclusivity and economic growth.

“Over the course of the six-month pilot period, each household within the target population will receive one HP Chromebook coupled with broadband connectivity at a subsidised cost of approximately $696 plus tax, totaling about $800 per household,” he informed.

Mr. Vaz noted that the Government proudly champions the programme which has the innate ability to provide digital literacy and skills training to unconnected Jamaican homes, thereby empowering citizens, particularly youth, with the tools they need to thrive in the digital age.

He explained that broadband penetration plays a critical role in national development as, for every 10 per cent increase in this area, there is a corresponding one per cent growth in gross domestic product (GDP).

Among the pilot’s anticipated outcomes are increased digital awareness, greater utilisation of the internet for business purposes, improved academic performance and enhanced access to government services.

Mr. Vaz noted that the pilot will provide a “vital use case” to the Government of Jamaica, demonstrating the immense benefits of connectivity and training to vulnerable and unconnected citizens registered on PATH.

He advised that some 40,000 households across Jamaica are eligible to benefit under the programme, which will cost US$20 million to implement.

FLOW Vice President and General Manager, Stephen Price, underscored that Jump focuses on providing high speed internet, devices and digital skills training to vulnerable households.

“So far, we have connected over 1,700 Jamaicans to the internet through this programme. It is through initiatives like this that we truly make a lasting impact on individuals’ lives by opening doors of opportunity and enabling them to thrive in an increasingly digital world,” he outlined.

Mr. Price also advised that students up to the secondary level in each household will be enrolled in FLOW Study.

“The commitment shown by [the] Universal Service Fund to fund the training component of the Jump pilot programme is a testament to their dedication to creating a more inclusive society,” he remarked.

For his part, USF Chief Executive Officer, Daniel Dawes, shared that the entities’ engagement is a critical partnership aimed at responding to the needs of vulnerable Jamaicans.

“The participants in this pilot… are from the PATH programme. What we are providing is not anything that is out of a normal man’s expectation; and so these 1,500 people are those [who] we must give our absolute support,” he stated.

Meanwhile, Minister of Labour and Social Security, Hon. Pearnel Charles Jr., pointed out that the pilot is a comprehensive approach to solving a complex but simple issue.

“If we are going to be successful in making sustainable advancements, we have to have strategic and strong partnerships,” he maintained.

The Minister said Jamaica is among the countries blessed with business leaders who acknowledge their corporate responsibility and have been consistently delivering projects that benefit citizens.