USAID Basic Skills Training Project (Jamaica)

Abstract

A six-year project was planned to assist in improving a skill training system responsive to the Jamaican government's economic policies and labour market needs. The project was designed to achieve its objectives by focusing on three components. The Human Employment and Resource Training Trust (HEART) component was concerned with policy formation, integration, and coordination of all skill training activities. It was also charged with increasing private-sector participation in skill training activities and improving placement of skill training graduates in productive employment. The nonformal skills training component addressed the need to upgrade and expand the facilities, equipment, instructional technology, and management necessary for delivering a flexible, comprehensive, and expanded programme of nonformal skill training. Responsibility for this activity rested with the Ministry of Youth and Community Development. The formal skill training component under the auspices of the Ministry of Education focused on the need to expand the facilities, equipment, management, and instructor training necessary for delivering a viable, flexible, and expanded formal programme of technical-level skill training. Each component was to offer technical assistance and participant training