Peter Bunting (DB&G and past pres. JSDA), Adinhair Jones (Exec Dir NYS), Shakira Fuller (JSIF), Keith Duncan (Chairman NYS and pres. JSDA), Charles Ross (Sterling Asset Mgt) July 21, 2005 Knutsford Court Hotel - Press Conference to recognize sponsors of the Success Camp NATIONAL YOUTH SERVICE
Private Sector Partnership Initiative
The Goal
The NYS Private Sector Partnership Initiative (PSPI) was established in 2004 on the assumption that it is through collaboration and participation at all levels that long term change can be effected with respect to the fate of Jamaica’s youth. The PSPI aims to create strategic alliances among corporate, government and international bodies to maximize the impact and reach of NYS programmes for a greater number of youth to benefit from training, development and employment opportunities.
Opportunities for Partnership
A number of programmes are administered by the NYS that present opportunities for participation for prospective partners. These are: The NYS Corps Programme, The National Summer Employment Programme, The Volunteerism Programme and Special Projects.
Corps Programme Partnership
The NYS presently conducts three private sector corps namely:
the Customer Care Corps, the Sales and Administration Corps and the
Micro-Entrepreneurship Corps. Those corps specifically target partnership with private sector companies, strategically seeking their expertise, financial support and job facilitation, while companies benefit from receiving employable entry level personnel.
Training corps target literate high school graduates who possess a minimum of 4 subjects and possess partners’ specific requirements. Participants are trained in behavioural development and one of the three named special areas. They are then placed for a six month period in a private sector organization for work experience. On completion, participants can be hired as full time employees based on their performance or the availability of positions.
Corps Programme Partnership Roles
As a partner the NYS is expected to:
- Recruit and select participants from across the island according to partners’ entry requirements
- Train participants in the personal and career development programme involving– identifying trainers and camp staff, planning and coordinating delivery of curriculum, providing notes/stationery, executing extra-curricular activities
- Provide accommodation, meals, medical supplies etc.
- Monitor the participants during the placement period
- Conduct monthly workshops to reinforce values taught on camp and impart career counseling
The Private Sector Partner is expected to:
- Accept placement of participants for six months in their organization *
- Pay a stipend for each assigned participant at a minimum rate of $2,000.00 per week
- Facilitate periodic monitoring of participants on the job by an NYS representative
- Allow participants to attend monthly workshops
- Offer permanent employment to eligible participants if vacancies exist at the end of the placement period.
*Partners can either accept the placement of participants on site for six months or sponsor their placement at a public or otherwise selected institution.
Benefits to the Private Sector Partner
- Savings on resources necessary to recruit suitable entry level personnel
- Savings on resources necessary to teach soft skills, introductory IT, Business and Office Skills
- Savings on salary expenditure since stipend payment is the only requirement
- Support through Corporate Services Officers in monitoring participants and conducting workshops
- Trained replacement options available if necessary
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