Global Services Sector Project
Transforming Jamaica's outsourcing sector for the future
Overview
The Global Services Sector (GSS) Project is a 5-year project funded by the Inter-American Development Bank that will provide Jamaicans with access to training and better jobs in the global services sector, namely in knowledge process outsourcing, information technology outsourcing and business process outsourcing. The Loan was signed on January 24, 2019 between the Government of Jamaica and the Inter-American Development Bank under the Executing Agency, the Jamaica Promotions Corporation.
The GSS Project is supported by our major stakeholders, the Ministry of Education Youth and Information, the HEART/ NSTA Trust and the Global Services Association of Jamaica (GSAJ).
The main objectives of the project are to improve the skills development system to provide the GSS with better skilled workers, particularly in higher value-added jobs and to strengthen Jamaica’s capacity to attract investment and increase exports. There are two components:
Component 1
Skills Development for the GSS and Strengthening of the Skills Development System
This component seeks to improve the skills development system to provide the GSS with better skilled workers, particularly, in higher value-added segments. Sub-components include:
- Enhancement of processes for interaction of the skills development system with the GSS
- Enhancement of job-readiness and on-the-job-training for the GSS
- Strengthening of quality assurance mechanisms for the skills development system
Component 2
Strengthening Jamaica’s institutional capacity to increase foreign direct investment and promote exports in the GSS
The objective of this component is to strengthen Jamaica’s capacity to attract investment and increase exports in higher value-added segments.
- Optimization of processes, institutions, regulations, and incentives framework
- Strengthened value proposition for the GSS
- Incubator and accelerator programmes for MSMEs in the GSS
- Digital Management System
The GSS project has developed a job readiness and digital skills curriculum and is on track to develop a career pathway framework and smart talent platform to benefit current and prospective staff and firms in the industry. Simply put, the GSS project will consult with the industry to identify training needs, develop training programmes to meet these needs and forge partnerships to grow the industry and position the island as a leader in regional digital services.
We Keep Achieving
Training Opportunities
There are two main training opportunities under the GSS Project: short-term certification courses and the Apprenticeship Programme.
These short-term certificate courses allow firms to reskill or upskill their employees thereby allowing them to be more responsive to their clients’ needs or rendering them more competitive in the industry.
This is particularly useful for investors wishing to establish a presence in Jamaica as they can be assured that the mechanisms are now in place, through the GSS Project to train persons in the skills sets they need, resulting in a talent pool that is ready and functionally able to support their operations.
Short-term courses range from 2 weeks to 6 months with a certificate being awarded to participants at the end of the programme.
The GSS Project will match up to 50% of funds or up to USD$300 through the Competitive Fund.
The Apprenticeship PEAK (Perform to Enhance and Accelerate your Knowledge) Programme is funded through the Competitive Fund and allows firms to upskill their firms into new areas of management.
The aim of this 12-month programme is to provide employees with the necessary skills to fill mid-management roles.
As part of the industry’s human capital development strategy, firms can agree on these areas of needs and embark on a coordinated approach to filling these areas.
The programme is industry-led, which means firms can be confident their staff is being trained to meet the specific needs of the industry.
