The Jamaica Employers’ Federation (JEF), with support from the International Labour Organization (ILO), is actively advancing national skills policy through data-driven research, advocacy, and strategic partnerships. In 2024, JEF published a landmark study, Curricula Alignment and Workforce Readiness: Assessing Jamaica’s Education and Training Systems for Labour Market Demands, introducing the Curricula Mismatch Index (CMI) to measure the alignment between academic programmes and labour market needs. While the study found overall alignment, it highlighted persistent gaps in soft skills, intergenerational workplace dynamics, and mismatches between fields of study and market demands, signaling the need for targeted policy interventions.
Building on these findings, JEF developed a Public Policy and Advocacy Strategy aimed at translating research into action. The strategy focuses on five key priorities: developing transferable skills among workers, promoting new technologies, addressing entrenched labour market barriers, fostering collaboration among key partners, and bridging generational differences in the workplace. These priorities align with Jamaica’s Vision 2030 goals, emphasizing the creation of a workforce capable of adapting to a rapidly evolving economy.
To advance these objectives, JEF hosted a high-level policy dialogue on 22 September 2025, convening over 30 representatives from ministries, training institutions, and the private sector. Participants included senior officials from the Ministry of Labour and Social Security, the Ministry of Education, NCTVET, and HEART Trust/NTA. JEF President Wayne Chen facilitated the discussions, while Dyon Elliot presented the study findings and advocacy strategy. The dialogue fostered active engagement on updating curricula, expanding soft skills programmes, and improving coordination between education providers and employers, setting the stage for practical reforms to strengthen graduate readiness and workforce productivity.
Throughout the process, the ILO provided guidance on methodology and strategic messaging. Later in the year, JEF leaders participated in a tailored training on “Advocacy and Effective Communication” organized by the ILO and ITC-ILO, equipping them with practical tools to build alliances and effectively advocate for policy change.
Armed with evidence, improved communication skills, and a growing network of partners, JEF is emerging as a key voice in shaping Jamaica’s national skills agenda. These initiatives aim to foster a labour market that is more flexible, inclusive, and prepared for the challenges of the future.
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