As the Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) Government marks the first year of its historic third term in office, Young Jamaica, the youth arm of the JLP, is highlighting a number of policies and programmes introduced or expanded to strengthen youth participation, economic opportunity and representation.

A key mechanism advancing youth participation is the Youth Advisory Council of Jamaica (YACJ), which brings together young Jamaicans from diverse backgrounds to provide perspectives on national policies and programmes.

The Government has also committed, through its 2025 Manifesto, to increasing the representation of young Jamaicans on public boards. Within the Ministry of Education, Skills, Youth and Information (MEYSI), young people have already been appointed to school boards, enabling greater youth input into decision-making within the education sector.

Young Jamaica also welcomes the implementation of the tertiary-level Learn, Earn and Prosper (LEAP) Programme, another commitment transformed into action. The initiative emerged from proposals by tertiary student leaders for structured opportunities that would allow students to earn while gaining meaningful work experience. Applications have recently opened, generating significant interest among young Jamaicans.

Further opportunities are being created through the National Housing Trust (NHT), with 20 per cent of housing solutions reserved for young Jamaicans and persons under 35 able to access up to $2 million toward home deposits. Additionally, HEART NSTA Trust continues to provide tuition-free skills training up to Level 5, with selected high-priority programmes offering additional financial support.

Young Jamaica maintains that under the leadership of JLP Leader and Prime Minister, Dr. The Most Honourable Andrew Holness, the JLP Government is the most youth-friendly administration in Jamaica’s history.

Despite the unprecedented challenges following Hurricane Melissa, the Government continues to advance its commitments to young Jamaicans.

As the Government enters the second year of its third term, Young Jamaica looks forward to the continued expansion of opportunities that empower Jamaica’s youth to participate, prosper and lead.