Devon Evans, Gleaner Writer
GREGORY
OCHO RIOS, St. Ann:
THE HEART Trust/NTA has announced a new
initiative aimed at boosting the productivity and competitiveness of Jamaican firms and organisations.
Robert Gregory, executive director of HEART Trust, said the new initiative which will be known as enterprise based training, is part of the agency's far-reaching plans to build the 21st century Jamaican workforce through targeted training and certification.
Mr. Gregory said that some $340 million has been allocated by HEART to implement the initiative during the 2005/2006 fiscal year.
Mr. Gregory made the announcement while addressing the 23rd annual convention of the Jamaica Employers' Federation at Sunset Jamaica Grand Resort in Ocho Rios, St. Ann over the weekend.
He said globalisation had been changing the face of business throughout the world but that while some countries had seen progress, the Caribbean region still continues to struggle.
He pointed out that a study done by the World Bank which was released on April 12 shows that regional competitiveness is declining with trade to GDP in the Caribbean falling from 135 per cent to 118 per cent between 1990 and 2001.
Mr. Gregory said the study also shows that even CARICOM's market share in tourism was declining with international tourist arrivals moving from 0.91 per cent to 0.69 per cent in 2002, in contrast to the Hispanic Caribbean such as the Dominican Republic and Cuba both of which recorded gains in tourism.
Mr. Gregory said that in order for CARICOM countries to move forward, it was vital for them to develop a skilled and adaptable workforce capable of enhancing productivity and diversification.
