7 Ministers of Labour and Social Security Scholarships announced

Durrant Pate/Contributor

The Government of Jamaica is restructuring its Social Intervention Programme to better support national human development priorities and respond to the growing needs of vulnerable populations.

Through the programme, doors of opportunity have been opened for young people across Jamaica with beneficiaries being empowered to pursue meaningful employment, access higher education, develop entrepreneurial ventures, and obtain skills training and certification that position them for long-term independence and success.

Making his contribution to the Sectoral Debate in parliament on Tuesday, Labour and Social Security Minister Pearnel Charles Jr. gave some details of the restructuring, which is now underway. 

“This restructuring will support investment in areas directly connected to disability support services, special education, behavioural therapy, early stimulation and other sectors where Jamaica requires stronger human capacity,” he told the House of Representatives.

The restructured Social Intervention Programme will include three major elements:

• Firstly, the establishment of EDGE- the Executive Development and Growth Experience- Internship Programme within the Ministry of Labour and Social Security, which will provide structured professional experience across key sectors.
• Secondly, an expansion of in-field support capacity for disaster response and social intervention activities.
• Thirdly, a country cannot effectively support vulnerable people unless it intentionally develops the human capacity required to serve them.

Ministers of Labour and Social Security scholarships announced

Minister Charles announced the establishment of a committee to develop specific scholarships in areas of critical need. This will commence with seven scholarship opportunities in the names of the seven most recent Ministers of Labour and Social Security. 

The projected areas thus far are:

• The Hon. Karl Samuda Social Intervention Scholarship
• The Hon. Lester Michael Henry Labour and Human Development Scholarship
• The late Hon. Shahine Robinson Inclusive Development Scholarship
• The Hon. Fenton Ferguson Early Stimulation Scholarship
• The Hon. Pearnel Charles Sr. Labour and Human Development
• The Hon. Derrick Kellier Human Capital Development Scholarship
• The Hon. Horace Dalley Social Development Scholarship

These scholarships will support studies in special education, disability services, behavioural therapy, early stimulation, social intervention and related fields.