Dear Editor,
Recently, we witnessed the dazzling performance and coronation of Tessanne Chin, the champion of NBC's The Voice competition — an accomplishment of epic proportions and another confirmation that our nation is endowed with world-class talent. Against this backdrop, major rethinking of strategies is paramount to unlock the latent talents of our jobless youths, awakening them for productive use to reignite the country's economic growth.
The International Labour Organisation's latest report states that the number of jobless people around the world is approximately 198 million, including 75 million young people between the ages of 15 and 24.
A recent study by academics at Oxford University suggests that 47 per cent of today's jobs could be automated in the next two decades.
According to Economic and Social Survey Jamaica 2012, since 2007, youth employment has precipitously declined by an estimated 50,000 jobs; an unemployment rate of 40 per cent with a declining labour participation rate. Of concern, youth joblessness is fuelling the fears of a "lost generation".
A cauldron of evidence, based mainly on American statistics, shows that people beginning their careers without work experience are likely to have lower wages and a higher incidence of future joblessness than those who do not.
Inevitably, joblessness spawns hopelessness, antisocial behaviour and, worse, crime. Incidentally, during 2012, youths have been responsible for approximately 60 per cent of major crimes committed. Of significance, many social scientists postulate that crime and joblessness are inextricably linked.
Special emphasis is required to mitigate youth joblessness, the country's bugbear. To address this challenge, policymakers should promote youth employment through the following recommended interventions:
(i) enhancing young people's employability by improving the link between education, training and the world of work, including apprenticeships and mentorships;
(ii) improving young people's access to information on career opportunities by providing support for job search; and
(iii) facilitating youth entrepreneurship in entertainment, technology, music, and sport. Additionally, the Government should continue playing the pivotal role, through HEART and JAGAS, in supporting skill and retraining activities to address the gaps between demand and supply of work skills and qualifications.
According to economic prognoses, job creation will be slow, especially among the youths. The imperative and challenge we face is to provide structured opportunities for our youths. Hopefully, the new wave of investments -- the agro parks and logistics hub -- will provide jobs for them.
I am exhorting employers, policymakers and decision makers to give priority attention to growth initiatives to address the lingering problem of youth joblessness.
James McNish
jamcnish@utech.edu.jm
Youth joblessness: Jamaica's bugbear
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Recently, we witnessed the dazzling performance and coronation of Tessanne Chin, the champion of NBC's The Voice competition — an accomplishment of epic proportions and another confirmation that our nation is endowed with world-class talent. Against this backdrop, major rethinking of strategies is paramount to unlock the latent talents of our jobless youths, awakening them for productive use to reignite the country's economic growth.
The International Labour Organisation's latest report states that the number of jobless people around the world is approximately 198 million, including 75 million young people between the ages of 15 and 24.
A recent study by academics at Oxford University suggests that 47 per cent of today's jobs could be automated in the next two decades.
According to Economic and Social Survey Jamaica 2012, since 2007, youth employment has precipitously declined by an estimated 50,000 jobs; an unemployment rate of 40 per cent with a declining labour participation rate. Of concern, youth joblessness is fuelling the fears of a "lost generation".
A cauldron of evidence, based mainly on American statistics, shows that people beginning their careers without work experience are likely to have lower wages and a higher incidence of future joblessness than those who do not.
Inevitably, joblessness spawns hopelessness, antisocial behaviour and, worse, crime. Incidentally, during 2012, youths have been responsible for approximately 60 per cent of major crimes committed. Of significance, many social scientists postulate that crime and joblessness are inextricably linked.
Special emphasis is required to mitigate youth joblessness, the country's bugbear. To address this challenge, policymakers should promote youth employment through the following recommended interventions:
(i) enhancing young people's employability by improving the link between education, training and the world of work, including apprenticeships and mentorships;
(ii) improving young people's access to information on career opportunities by providing support for job search; and
(iii) facilitating youth entrepreneurship in entertainment, technology, music, and sport. Additionally, the Government should continue playing the pivotal role, through HEART and JAGAS, in supporting skill and retraining activities to address the gaps between demand and supply of work skills and qualifications.
According to economic prognoses, job creation will be slow, especially among the youths. The imperative and challenge we face is to provide structured opportunities for our youths. Hopefully, the new wave of investments -- the agro parks and logistics hub -- will provide jobs for them.
I am exhorting employers, policymakers and decision makers to give priority attention to growth initiatives to address the lingering problem of youth joblessness.
James McNish
jamcnish@utech.edu.jm
Youth joblessness: Jamaica's bugbear
-->