The NEO-Jamaica project, initiated in 2016 as part of a broader regional effort, aimed to enhance employment prospects for Jamaican youth. Supported by funding from the Multilateral Investment Fund of the Inter-American Development Bank and led by The MultiCare Youth Foundation (formerly known as Youth Upliftment Through Employment – YUTE), it focused on empowering vulnerable youth across Jamaica.
At its closure in May 2019, the then Science, Energy, and Technology Minister Fayval Williams emphasised the project’s significance in adapting to evolving workplace dynamics, highlighting its role in fostering well-rounded individuals capable of contributing effectively across various work domains.
Throughout 2016 to 2019, NEO Jamaica substantially increased job opportunities for thousands of economically disadvantaged Jamaican youth aged 17-29. Through collaboration with the Ministry of Labour & Social Security, NEO conducted job readiness workshops across multiple locations island-wide, including Kingston, St. Catherine, St. Ann, St. Thomas, St. Mary, Westmoreland, St. Elizabeth, and St. James.
NEO Jamaica was commended for its comprehensive personal and professional development approach, offering career guidance, job placement assistance, and skill enhancement tailored to meet industry demands effectively. The project notably improved the quality and relevance of occupational and technical training programs, significantly enhancing youth employability.
Furthermore, the project fostered valuable public-private partnerships, engaging employers in providing internships and employment opportunities for young individuals. Key partners in this alliance included the Ministries of Science, Energy & Technology, and Labour & Social Security, alongside the Private Sector Organisation of Jamaica, Caribbean Cement Company, Human Employment and Resource Training (HEART) Trust NTA, Red Stripe/D&G Foundation, the Planning Institute of Jamaica, and The MultiCare Youth Foundation.
