WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT IN JAMAICA
Presentation to UTECH WED MSc. Students Paulette Dunn-Smith CEO DPBA
March 2010
Overview
Definitions Brief History Response to Globalization Agencies (Heart Trust/NTA) The Future
Workforce Development
Workforce development is the coordination of public and private sector policies and programs that provide individuals with the opportunity for a sustainable livelihood and helps organizations achieve exemplary goals, consistent with the societal context
International Handbook of TVET 2008
Workforce Development
A partnership between the public and private sectors to develop employment opportunities with meaningful and sustainable income while providing programmes which assist business through specialized training
Kansas Chamber of Commerce & Industry
A multi-faceted approach which addresses the range of factors impacting on the ability of the workforce to function with maximum effectiveness
Australia National Council for Workforce Development & Research
Objectives behind workforce development
An increase in employment Increase/improvement in productivity Increase personal income through continuing education and training programmes Provision of specialized technical education and training programmes (on-the-job and postsecondary institutions) Benchmarking of standards for an internallycompetitive workforce
The History of the Jamaican Workforce
A workforce of slaves Hardy, resilient stock who endured the horrors of the Middle Passage Worked under horrendous working conditions
Interest Groups & Individuals
Quakers Baptists Methodists Earl Grey British Prime Minister Lord Howick House of Commons
Conflict
The great problem to be solved in drawing up
any plan for the emancipation of the slaves was to devise some mode of inducing them when relieved from the fear of the slave driver and his whip, to undergo the regular and continuous labour which was indispensable in carrying on the production of sugar.
-Lord Howick British House of Commons, 1833
Legacy of Lord Howick
Lord Howick, the British Abolitionist, (1764-1845)
Lord Howick, the British Abolitionist, (1764-1845)
Slavery would be abolished but the plantocracy would be maintained at all costs Controlling elementary education only for the freed slaves Secondary education was a privilege for the children of the ruling classes to administer the affairs of the colony Higher education opportunities only available in England
Influence on our Educational System
Much has changed however remnants of the colonial system still remain in our psyche Up until recently the Regions educational legislation was governed by Acts of Parliament which dated back to the mid-1800s
Workforce development aligned with skills training for those not academically inclined
Evolution of the Jamaican Workforce
Unshackling from chattel slavery to abolition and emancipation From Emancipation to Independence From Independence to Globalization From Globalization to the Value of Work and Workers
Effect of Globalization on Jamaica
Investment requires that our workers are competitive with workers from other countries Employers seeking highly-skilled workers Competitor countries emphasizing qualifications of workforce
Current labour market conditions require that the training system responds to the demands from industry - to train and certify skill sets which form or comprise a job
Jamaicas Scenario
Population 2.7m
50% below 24 yrs
Per capita GDP - US $5,020
Labour force - 1.24 m
(Oct. 2010) 1.26 January 2010 1.28 January 2009
70% have no formal certification for the job they are in
Educational Qualifications of First Seekers, 2000
80% 60 40 20 0
None Some Sec Passes 3-5 Passses Post-sec & Degree Other Not Stated
60% of first time job seekers have no qualifications
The Main Agencies
Heart Trust/NTA Jamaica Productivity Centre Jamaica Business Development Corporation
Supporting Agencies & Mechanisms
Jamaica Foundation for Life Long Learning High School Equivalency Programme Jamaica Youth Service Career Development Services Career Advancement Programme UTECH, VTDI
H.E.A.R.T.
Human Employment and Resource Training
Created 29 years ago (1982) in response to social mandate Develop encourage, monitor and provide finance for training schemes for the employment of trainees Provide employment opportunities for trainees Direct or assist in placement of persons seeking employment in Jamaica Promote employment projects
The HEART Trust/National Training Agency (1992) Shifted its focus as a result of national regional and international imperatives
CARICOM TVET Strategy ILO Recommendations Impending effect of Globalization Socio-economic Landscape of Jamaica
A Jamaican Workforce trained and certified to international standards, stimulating employment-creating investments, contributing to the improved productivity, competitiveness and prosperity of individuals, enterprises and the nation.
Mission of HEART Trust/NTA
Strengthen Mechanisms To Align Training With Demands Of The Labour Market
The imperatives dictate:
Improving the skills of the workforce Improving the link between education and work Getting real input from business on training matters
Making training more relevant and customer focused
Providing certification for workers Creating better business Creating a globally-competitive workforce
Technical Operating Model
Labour Market Needs & Analysis
Occupational Analysis
Development of Standards & Qualifications
Development and Approval of Assessment tools and Instruments
Development of Instructional Materials
Training Intervention Assessment of Learners
Award of Certification
L5
LEVEL 4 LEVEL 3
Advanced Professional Senior manager Master Craftsman Technologist Technician Supervisor Skilled Worker (Unsupervised ) Semi-skilled, entry level worker (Supervised )
LEVEL 2
LEVEL 1
NTA Workforce Development
Facilitating and coordinating the development of the Jamaican workforce Providing access to training, assessment and certification for all working age Jamaicans Offering career development and employment facilitation services island-wide Providing entrepreneurship training and development Financing the TVET system through 3% payroll tax levy
Vision 2030 Jamaica
The Plan for Workforce Development in Jamaica
Eight (8) KEYS to World Class Education &Training
1. Accelerate the process of creating and implementing a standards-based education system (CBET) 2. Ensure that the secondary school system equips school leavers to access further education, training and/or decent work
Keys Continued
3. Ensure that adequate and high quality tertiary education is provided with emphasis on interface with work and school 4. Develop mechanisms to provide access to the out of school population (unattached/at risk youth)
Keys
5. Promote a culture of learning among the general populace 6. Establish a competency-based National Qualification Framework (NQF) 7. Increase access to formal training 8. Strengthen mechanisms to align training with demands of the labour market
Ideal Citizen Worker (CARICOM 1997)
Is Capable of seizing economic opportunities which the global environment is presenting Demonstrates multiple literacies including foreign language skills, independent and critical thinking Has developed the capacity to create and take advantage of opportunities to control, improve, maintain & promote physical, mental, social and spiritual well-being; and to contribute to the health & welfare of the community and country Nourishes in him/her and in others, the full development of each persons potential without gender stereotyping; and embraces the differences and similarities between females and males as a source of mental strength Has an informed respect four our cultural heritage and that of others
Guiding Principles to Jamaicas Workforce Development (PIOJ Plan)
1. Transformational leadership 2. Partnerships 3. Transparency and accountability 4. Social cohesion 5. Equity 6. Sustainability 7. Sustainable urban and rural development
2030 Vision
JAMAICA -The place of choice to live, work, raise families and do business
THE END THANK YOU!!! ARE THERE ANY QUESTIONS?
