Jamaica

In an effort to resolve the youth unemployment problem in Jamaica, the government established the Human Employment and Resource Training Trust (HEART). The main function of this program is to finance, develop and monitor employment training programs, assist in placing graduates, seek jobs and promote employment projects for youths.

The five main objectives of HEART are to 1)achieve optimum resource utilization, cost utilization, cost effectiveness and operating efficiencies in the institutions which comprise the technical vocational education and training system (TVET); 2)promote the expansion and continued development of the TVET system to meet effective demand for skilled and semi-skilled workers; 3)act as a catalyst for incorporating the private sector in the direction and delivery of technical vocational education and training in Jamaica 4); ensure that instructional and administrative arrangements in approved training institutions comply with established standards and 5); administer the provisions of the HEART Act with respect to employer contribution tax and trainee welfare.

Training is directed to meet the needs of certain sectors which have the potential to generate new employment and earn foreign exchange for the National Economy. These sectors are: Tourism and hospitality industry, agro-industry, export manufacturing, furniture, repairs and maintenance services, electronics, automotive. An apprenticeship program was reintroduced to offer industry based training aimed at producing skilled craftsmen to meet the needs of the maintenance and service trades.

In addition to HEART, the Ministry of Labor, Social Security and Sport is currently re-establishing employment bureaus island wide to assist in providing skill testing, training and employment to various categories of workers. Staff persons at these agencies are train youths in areas such as interviewing techniques, registration and documentation, selection and referrals, job analysis process, job solicitation, public relations and sales, data entry and retrieval and computer and writing skills. Financial assistance for the work of the trust is a 3% pay roll deduction on private sector firms.

Other Government programs in Jamaica include Youth Employment and Empowerment, National Youth in Agriculture, income Generating Projects, Self Start Fund and the Social Rehabilitation Program. Each is briefly described in the paragraphs below.

The Youth Empowerment Program is monitored by the Social Development Commission and offers on-the-job training to students in high schools, colleges and universities. In 1994, 2039 students were trained in areas that developed their full potential in economic opportunities. Training has resulted in a number of job placements and applications for further training in HEART/NTA institutions, community skills training and other projects.

The next program is the National Youth in Agriculture programs which develop plans and implement various activities for youth involvement in agriculture through educational programs and competitive events culminating at an agriculture show. The mission of this program is to promote and develop excellence in agriculture among Jamaican Youth in order to create an awareness of the need to increase production for food security and economic stability of the country.

The Ministry of Education has Income Generating Projects which aim at improving the educational, economic and social well-being of the participants. This is achieved by enriching the curriculum and providing management skills that will allow participants to generate economic returns and provide the student especially with a more positive perception of the importance of acquiring skills in a particular vocation before graduation.

The Self-Start Fund is a bold and dynamic financial institution established by the Jamaican Government in 1983. This program provides loans to small and medium sized businesses. Self-Start is fully geared to meet the needs of academically inclined youths and those who are not. It meets the needs of people with ideas and initiative regardless of background and age (18-60 are eligible). The loans given are for small and micro-businesses and are long or short term loans. Loans are given to applicants whose assets do not exceed $500,000. The monies are to be used for the purpose of acquiring basic tools, implements of trade, equipment and raw materials.

The final program reviewed is the Social Rehabilitation Program. This program represents a new dimension to the Food Stamp program and has the philosophy that a little strategic help is more likely to extricate persons from a situation of poverty instead of the ongoing welfare assistance. According to their philosophy, it is critical to remove from the program beneficiaries who have the potential to help themselves if given the necessary assistance. The program provides an opportunity for income generation and skills training. During 1992-93, 2,853 persons were assisted . The benefit was provided in the form of raw materials and other inputs for the projects which ranged from livestock, crop farming, leather craft, needlework and pastry.