1. Workforce Education & Development in Jamaica Tabitha Service, Ph.D. Candidate, Diane Spokus, Ph.D. Candidate The Department of Learning & Performance Systems, The Pennsylvania State University Physical Environment Problems in the Formal Economy Social Capital Economic Development Formal Private Sector Civilian Labor Force Education Geography 143 miles long, 51 miles wide, 4,244 square miles 555 miles of coastline 3 counties, 14 parishes Average temperature 80 degrees Independent since 1962 Cities Capital—Kingston metro area (pop. 628,000) Other large cities—Montego Bay (96,500) Spanish Town (122,700) Stable population (2000): 2.65 million with annual growth rate (2000): 0.6% April of 2005 labor force comprised of 1,193,300 individuals or 36% of the population Unemployment rate is 12.2% Workforce: Agriculture 21%, Industry 19%, Services 60% (1998) Since the 90s higher “skills” are more in demand than lower skills and unskilled Flight of Human Capital in ages >25Immigration Historically, Jamaican emigration has been heavy. Since 1967, about 20,000 Jamaicans migrate to the United States each year; another 200,000 visit annually. At present there are approximately 478,000 Jamaicans living in U.S. Relaxed immigration policies in U.S. & the labor demand There are an estimated 2.5 Jamaicans living in other countries New York, Miami, Chicago, and Hartford are among the U.S. Cities with a significant Jamaican population. Remittances from expatriate communities in the U.S., United Kingdom, and Canada, estimated at up to $800 million per year, make increasingly significant contributions to Jamaica’s economy.Emigration 28% or 715,000 persons are between age 15 – 2928% or 715,000 persons are between age 15 – 29 Rapid decline in population after age 25; alternatively a large population of expatriots > age 60 migrate back to Jamaica after years abroadRapid decline in population after age 25; alternatively a large population of expatriots > age 60 migrate back to Jamaica after years abroad  Inherited a British educational model  Different types of schools aimed at different segments of population Types of Schools All age schools: basic education provided for children up to age 15 Primary schools: up to age 12 Secondary schools (remedial and vocational education) Traditional High School Comprehensive high schools and technical high school Prep schools account for only 4% 3 universities, 7 teacher colleges, 6 community colleges Common entrance examination offered at grade 5 HEART/NTA is the government body responsible for the vocational training system in Jamaica  Economy faces serious long-term problems: high interest rates; increased foreign competition pressurized, sliding exchange rate; sizable merchandise trade deficit large-scale unemployment, internal debt Goods Producing Mining Agriculture Manufacturing Construction Services Other-Transport, communication, distributive trade and financial services Represented by the Private Sector Organization of Jamaica (PSOJ) Poverty Jamaica is characterized as a middle-income country Per capita GDP is U.S. $1,293/yr. Total expenditure among poorest quintile is JA $10,510 (U.S. $314) Second poorest quintile is JA $17,480 (U.S. $522) Median income is JA $34,975 (U.S. $1,049) Social Disruption is characterized by high level of violence, industrialization disputes and civil disturbances In 90s increase in white-collar crime in financial institutions & custom regulations In economic terms the high crime rate is deterrent to high investment Economic Development Jamaican economy heavily dependent on services, 70% of GDP In 1980s Jamaican economy primarily agricultural Foreign exchange from tourism, remittances, bauxite/alumina 911 Terrorist attacks in the U.S. stunted economic growth 2003 rebound of tourism Informal Private Sector 48% of labor force Agriculture or community, social and personal services Subsistence farmers, street vendors, household helpers, informal importers, hairdressers, dressmakers, gardeners, etc. Government Parliamentary system of government patterned after Great Britain; Prime Minister Human Capital: Population 2.6 million (July 2001) Since 1990s there has been a significant increase in the output of trained personnel from Jamaica’s training and education institution Shows 315% increase in skilled & semi-skilled manpower 135% increase in technical, managerial and related manpower 17% of Jamaica unemployed received training – an increase from earlier years NATIONAL TRAINING AGENCY Trains approximately 50,000 people annually School Leavers Training Opportunities Programme (S.L.T.O.P.s) Women’s Constructive Collective