The Trust for the Americas and IDB Lab will strengthen Jamaican youth competencies

Washington, DC 04/06/2021

Some 1,200 unemployed and underemployed youth between the ages of 17 and 34 will benefit from a special IDB Lab program aimed at strengthening economic opportunities and enhancement of their digital, business, and interpersonal skills. Youth will also access job opportunities through highly practical project-based learning and employability skills enabling them to function as independent workers and social entrepreneurs.

“Jamaica has a plethora of talent which needs to be channeled into productive activities. Strengthening the digital and interpersonal skills of unemployed and underemployed youth with low incomes, as well as aligning them with job opportunities and entrepreneurship, will go a far way in easing the frustration which they are currently experiencing,” said Therese Turner-Jones, IDB Jamaica Country Representative and General Manager for the Caribbean Country Department.

Jamaica, which has made great progress and economic reforms in recent years after a long period of instability, has seen the pandemic undermine much of its economic activity and foreign exchange, mainly from tourism. The impact on companies, together with rapid technological advancements have made it challenging for some companies to keep pace and provide the requisite training to their workforce. This has aggravated the socioeconomic risk of young people, exacerbated inequalities, and contributed to higher unemployment.

The program will be funded with IDB investment of US $800,000 through a non-refundable technical cooperation grant. It will be executed by the non-profit entity, The Trust for the Americas, which, in association with Microsoft, Citi, and NCB Foundations, will invest more than US $1,000,000 in financial and in-kind resources.

Read the full article on the IDB's website: IDB Lab will strengthen Jamaican youth competencies | IADB
 

About The Trust for the Americas: 

The Trust for the Americas is a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization affiliated with the Organization of American States (OAS). It was established in 1997 to promote public and private sector participation in social and economic development projects in Latin America and the Caribbean. Our initiatives, implemented through local partner organizations, seek to improve access to economic opportunities as well as to foster innovation in vulnerable communities in the hemisphere. To this end, The Trust also promotes social inclusion and good governance. The Trust has offices in Washington, D.C., Colombia, and Canada. 

More information: www.trustfortheamericas.org  

Facebook: The Trust for the Americas  Twitter:   @Trust4Americas