Unapplied education hurting Jamaica’s productivity, says MoBay mayor

WESTERN BUREAU:

Montego Bay Mayor Richard Vernon is warning that education without application is unproductive, arguing that too many qualified persons are failing to translate their academic achievements into meaningful economic contributions.

“There are many persons who will tell you that they have a degree, or they have completed subjects, and they sit at home. If you’re not applying your education, you’re not being productive enough; and if you want to be a productive society, education needs to be applied,” said Vernon, who was speaking at the MBJ Foundation Charity Run/Walk Grant Award Ceremony at Sangster International Airport in Montego Bay on Tuesday.

The event marked the fifth annual staging of the initiative, which has provided some $30 million in educational support across western Jamaica, assisting more than 180 students in high schools and tertiary institutions, as well as aided two educational institutions that were impacted by Hurricane Melissa last October.

Vernon’s comments come amid recent labour market data from the Statistical Institute of Jamaica (STATIN), which showed that while unemployment fell to 3.3 per cent in October, the overall labour force declined, pointing to a troubling trend of disengagement.

STATIN also reported that 1.41 million people were employed, down 3,800 from a year earlier, while 693,800 persons remained outside the workforce, an increase of 6,300.

“These shifts resulted in an unemployment rate of 3.3 per cent, compared with 3.5 per cent in October 2024,” the agency stated, noting that the total labour force fell by to 1.46 million.

The data also revealed a sharp decline in youth engagement, with youth unemployment falling by six per cent to 163,600. Although youth unemployment dropped, the number of young people outside the labour force climbed by 12,600 to 306,900, suggesting that more are leaving the job market than entering it.

VEHICLE FOR NATIONAL DEVELOPMENT

Against that background, Vernon said education must go beyond personal advancement and be used as a tool for national development.

“I will take this opportunity also to reiterate the importance of education, not just as a vehicle for your individual success, but applied education, a vehicle to our country’s productivity,” he said.

Describing the ceremony as “a very pivotal one” for Montego Bay, Vernon noted his involvement in the initiative at every level.

“I’ve been involved in the entire process, from sponsor to actually participating in the run to being here this afternoon,” said Vernon, in commending beneficiaries while urging them to take full advantage of the opportunities being provided.

“And, that is why those who decided to enlist in the journey to ensuring that our country is productive, I want to congratulate you ... . You have been given this opportunity to realise that journey,” said Vernon, referencing the five-year-old MBJ Foundation Charity Run/Walk.

“I want to recognise the efforts of MBJ and Sangster International Airport; you could have chosen to do anything else, but you have decided to do this.

The issue of aligning education with employment outcomes was also raised during the recent Budget Debate by Opposition Spokesman on Finance Julian Robinson, who emphasised the critical role of building a workforce equipped with practical, job-ready skills.

“If MSMEs can participate more in government procurement, their businesses will grow, they will employ more people, and they will pay more GCT, more income tax – that’s how you grow the economy,” Robinson said.

His comments underline the role of institutions such as the HEART/NSTA Trust in equipping Jamaicans with practical skills and bridging the gap between education and labour market needs.

In his address during the award ceremony, Vernon also praised residents and the business community for their continued commitment to education through fundraising efforts.

“We have at least five major charity runs annually and, by this time, they have amassed over $200 million in support for education. And that is just a charity-run part of the story. There are many other initiatives and ventures geared towards education,” he said. “About 20,000 residents come out to participate – get up out of their beds or after work, and decide to spend some more time participating in a run. I want to thank the community, because their contribution is going towards your education,” he told the grant recipients.

“Montego Bay has a relatively small business community, and every time there is an event ... we call upon the same members of the business community to sponsor, time and time again. They are committed, and we appreciate the contribution that they have given and continue to give,” he continued.

Vernon went on to urge grant recipients to recognise the effort behind the funding and to maximise its impact.

“I want you to understand the hard work, the sweat, the commitment that persons have made to ensure that your future is a possibility. Take the contribution, the support, and make the best use of it. Apply your education, so that our country can be more productive; optimise your growth, so that we can be the place that we want to retire in,” he added.

albert.ferguson@gleanerjm.com