Vocational training  

Career guidance

HEART is a National Training Agency, which gives students a chance to extend their education through skills training by working with local businesses. HEART tries to match skills that students acquire in school with the needs of the labour market.

• Delivers training in different settings;
• Offers certification to international standards;
• Facilitates job search through IT uses;
• Offers transition management services for individuals.      

Entrepreneurship development

The Young Entrepreneurs Association (YEA) is a volunteer-driven non-profit organization whose mandate is to support young entrepreneurs. It was set up in January 2006 by the Jamaica Employers' Federation (JEF) to support the creation of a cadre of young entrepreneurs and to enhance the success of youth-owned businesses in Jamaica , thereby contributing to combating youth unemployment. YEA provides members with opportunities to learn from each other's experience and to benefit from the advantages of a network.

• Creates networking opportunities for young entrepreneurs;
• Provides relevant information and assistance to young entrepreneurs;
• Makes recommendations to and lobbies policy makers on issues related to youth employment.

Youth employment promotion

The Jamaica Youth Employment Network (JYEN) was launched in Jamaica on 20 September 2005 under the aegis of the Jamaica Employers’ Federation (JEF). Within the JYEN, 23 major stakeholders have joined to champion the cause of promoting youth employment. JYEN facilitates social dialogue and the implementation of projects under the four focus areas of the JYEN, namely: employment creation, employability, entrepreneurship and equal opportunity.

• Includes 23 stakeholders, comprising government, employers, trade unions and youth;
• Pursues youth employment promotion through support activities targeting young people, advocacy and knowledge building and sharing.