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... That just means someone has to crack the code of producing 21st Century skills and world class industry CERTIFICATION.... to yutes as early and cost-effectively as possible within the education delivery system.... say even within secondary level schools 
Fortunately help thru a national model is on di way....wooooiiieee
EDITORIAL - Where are the skills for the hub?
Published: Saturday | January 25, 2014
The buzz being created around the proposed $10-billion logistics hub is getting louder, and with it, hopes that thousands of unemployed Jamaicans will find work in a dynamic business environment where manufacturers, suppliers and distributors come together to conduct international trade.
Job creation has been an expressed priority of successive governments, but somehow they have not succeeded in attracting new investors in sufficient numbers or have not been able to provide incentives to convince existing investors to expand their businesses, thereby employing more people.
Recognised as one of the most ambitious projects to be undertaken by a Jamaican Government, the logistics hub would become the fourth node in the global supply and logistics chain along with Singapore, Dubai and Rotterdam.
As more details about the proposed logistics hub begin to filter into the public domain, it seems as if this project, aimed at taking advantage of the widening of the Panama Canal by 2015, could become a magnet for companies that require strong logistics infrastructure in this fast-paced global business environment. But as indicated in a recent public-opinion poll, the majority of Jamaicans have no clue what the hub is about and how they can gear up to participate in it. The glaring need for a public-education programme on the hub needs to be addressed with urgency.
Indeed, there are many examples of successful logistics hubs around the world. Hong Kong stands out as one of the most successful. In an often-cited survey conducted among logistics companies, the operators expressed satisfaction with the hub for a number of reasons: geographical location, taxation system, communication network, public security and safety, infrastructure and free-port status.
None of the above, alone, will guarantee economic success of the logistics hub. While Jamaica, as a location, provides clear advantages, there is strong evidence that right after location, the other element that is critical to the success of a logistics hub is the availability of a well-trained labour force with specific skills. Although government officials have been hinting that the hub will require world-class skills, our educational institutions have not started to place the requisite emphasis on logistics training.
LACK OF SKILLS
Even though Jamaica has a large segment of unemployed persons, many are not equipped with a skill. It is not unusual to hear persons seeking a job presenting themselves as someone who can do 'anything'. This really means the jobseeker has no skills. Sadly, the education system has been turning out more and more illiterates and unskilled persons over time.
As any successful entrepreneur will confirm, preparation is everything. If specific skills are what logistics providers are looking for, Jamaica needs to get cracking on an action plan to address areas of weakness in Jamaica's quest to become part of this global development chain.
For example, where is the emphasis on technical and logistics education? Training requires time, and if there are not enough competent workers to fill vacancies, operators will have no choice but to recruit labour to satisfy their requirements. Another sore point is the growing level of insecurity based on the high levels of crime.
International hubs like Singapore have shown the way as far as training goes. For example, the Port Authority of Singapore has created a training arm which offers some 80 courses related to port management. The staff undergo continuous training in IT and other skills.
The logistics hub has great potential if it is developed along the right path. Jamaica can dream to match the logistical capability of other global hubs. However, it cannot be achieved by mere talk; action is required
Fortunately help thru a national model is on di way....wooooiiieee
EDITORIAL - Where are the skills for the hub?
Published: Saturday | January 25, 2014
The buzz being created around the proposed $10-billion logistics hub is getting louder, and with it, hopes that thousands of unemployed Jamaicans will find work in a dynamic business environment where manufacturers, suppliers and distributors come together to conduct international trade.
Job creation has been an expressed priority of successive governments, but somehow they have not succeeded in attracting new investors in sufficient numbers or have not been able to provide incentives to convince existing investors to expand their businesses, thereby employing more people.
Recognised as one of the most ambitious projects to be undertaken by a Jamaican Government, the logistics hub would become the fourth node in the global supply and logistics chain along with Singapore, Dubai and Rotterdam.
As more details about the proposed logistics hub begin to filter into the public domain, it seems as if this project, aimed at taking advantage of the widening of the Panama Canal by 2015, could become a magnet for companies that require strong logistics infrastructure in this fast-paced global business environment. But as indicated in a recent public-opinion poll, the majority of Jamaicans have no clue what the hub is about and how they can gear up to participate in it. The glaring need for a public-education programme on the hub needs to be addressed with urgency.
Indeed, there are many examples of successful logistics hubs around the world. Hong Kong stands out as one of the most successful. In an often-cited survey conducted among logistics companies, the operators expressed satisfaction with the hub for a number of reasons: geographical location, taxation system, communication network, public security and safety, infrastructure and free-port status.
None of the above, alone, will guarantee economic success of the logistics hub. While Jamaica, as a location, provides clear advantages, there is strong evidence that right after location, the other element that is critical to the success of a logistics hub is the availability of a well-trained labour force with specific skills. Although government officials have been hinting that the hub will require world-class skills, our educational institutions have not started to place the requisite emphasis on logistics training.
LACK OF SKILLS
Even though Jamaica has a large segment of unemployed persons, many are not equipped with a skill. It is not unusual to hear persons seeking a job presenting themselves as someone who can do 'anything'. This really means the jobseeker has no skills. Sadly, the education system has been turning out more and more illiterates and unskilled persons over time.
As any successful entrepreneur will confirm, preparation is everything. If specific skills are what logistics providers are looking for, Jamaica needs to get cracking on an action plan to address areas of weakness in Jamaica's quest to become part of this global development chain.
For example, where is the emphasis on technical and logistics education? Training requires time, and if there are not enough competent workers to fill vacancies, operators will have no choice but to recruit labour to satisfy their requirements. Another sore point is the growing level of insecurity based on the high levels of crime.
International hubs like Singapore have shown the way as far as training goes. For example, the Port Authority of Singapore has created a training arm which offers some 80 courses related to port management. The staff undergo continuous training in IT and other skills.
The logistics hub has great potential if it is developed along the right path. Jamaica can dream to match the logistical capability of other global hubs. However, it cannot be achieved by mere talk; action is required
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