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Jamaica’s employment programme

For unemployed young people from vulnerable and volatile communities served by the Citizen Security and Justice Programme (CSJP) of the Ministry of National Security, there is a chance for a job and work experience through CSJP’s Employment Internship Programme (EIP).

The EIP, launched in 2008, engages partners in the public and private sector to employ youth for a set period after which they may be retained for fulltime employment.

It aims to build self esteem, reduce unemployment and curb the stigma attached to inner city job seekers.

The EIP is implemented and funded by the CSJP. A similar EIP is coordinated by the CSJP with funding provided by the European Union’s 10th European Development Fund under its Poverty Reduction Programme II.

The Programme targets at risk youth who have gained at least three subjects in local examinations. The youth are then interned in a real life work situation at a local company or institution for a period of six months.

Those who are not employed have the option of accessing a CSJP scholarship to pursue studies in their areas of interest.

Under the programme, employers provide supervision and mentoring, while the employees are trained and paid a stipend by CSJP. At the end of each quarter, an assessment is conducted by the employer for each participant.

The project started with 32 participants and six companies, among them Churches Cooperative Credit Union, British Caribbean Insurance Company (BCIC) Statistical Institute (STATIN) and the Jamaica Stock Exchange and Ultimate Jamaica

Since then, the list of companies has grown to include Guardian Life Insurance, IBM and the Passport Immigration and Citizenship Agency (PICA).

CSJP Senior Community Action Officer, Denise Adams urged private and public sector companies to partner with the CSJP in providing internship opportunities for countless youth from volatile and vulnerable communities who possess the subjects and the aptitude for the workplace. Employers who are interested in partnering with the CSJP may call Ms Denise Adams, on 906 4714.

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