Scholarship & Internship Programme
LENA BUCKLE-SCOTT, deputy chief education officer in the Ministry of Education, Youth and Information, says her office is actively working to prepare students for the demands of the outsourcing sector and the digital economy.
“Jamaica knowledge services sector has achieved a high employment growth rate over the past decade,” said Buckle-Scott, while giving the keynote address at the recent BPO Scholarship and Internship Award ceremony. “The Ministry of Education Youth and Information is undoubtedly committed to sustaining the strides made, with a concerted effort to create specialised training in the required skill sets,” she added.
“Everyone recognises the significance of information technology (IT) in a rapidly changing global environment; it has become a vital part of every business plan, from multinational to small businesses with a single computer,” Buckle-Scott noted.
She continues: “Technology has permeated every facet of our general way of life. Today we encounter egovernment, e-infrastructure, eindustry, e-learning, and e-commerce. We must ensure that our young people are trained and empowered with the relevant knowledge and skills that will make them highly certified and ready to seize employment opportunities.”
SAMPSON TOP FIELD
Shanice Sampson, a 20-year-old university student of Lucea in Hanover, came out on top of a quality field after a tedious selection process that included interviews with each applicant. She received $100,000 towards her tuition and will be the first youth ambassador for the BPO sector. The ambassador programme, which began on October 2, will run for a 10month period and give the awardee the opportunity to acquire practical experience in the BPO sector.
The BPO sector has been identified as a priority area to attract investments during the next three years with the hope of doubling the number of jobs from the current 25,000, with greater focus being placed on preparing students for the expected demand for a more workready and skilled labour pool.
According to Gloria Henry, president of the Business Processing Industry of Jamaica (BPIAJ), the BPO Scholarship and Internship Programme will provide a stimulating and rewarding training experience for students who are passionate about obtaining valuable experience that contributes to educational and professional growth. She also revealed that the programme would be introduced to the other areas of the country.
She said that the BPIAJ was honoured to assist self-sufficiency and financial security through job training, academic reinforcement, improved life skills, job placement, and support services.