Skills Training for Residents Benefiting from Electricity Project

Residents of communities involved in the Street Lighting, Installation, Loss Reduction and Community Renewal (SILC) programme will benefit from vocational training.

Ministry of Science, Energy and Technology, Dr. the Hon. Andrew Wheatley, made the disclosure at a recent JIS Think Tank.

He said the training will be provided under the social aspect of SILC through collaboration with the HEART Trust/NTA.

He informed that the areas of training include cosmetology, housekeeping and woodwork. “We are not only giving you the light, we are empowering you to be able to earn to pay for that light,” he said.

The SILC initiative was first announced by the Minister in his Sectoral presentation on June 21.

The $1.25-billion project, to be piloted in September, will result in improved electricity supply to 25 communities in Kingston and St. Andrew, St. Catherine, and St. James.

It includes the creation of the necessary infrastructure for proper electricity and street lights and the wiring of homes.

SILC is expected to build on existing arrangements involving the Ministry, Jamaica Public Service Company (JPS), National Energy Solutions (NESol), and the Jamaica Social Investment Fund (JSIF) to expand electricity supply and minimise unauthorised connections to the national grid.

Dr. Wheatley said the project is taking a holistic approach to development by addressing “the infrastructural aspect, the social aspect… and safety and security”.