Growth & Jobs | Partnership is the main channel for development - Thorpe
Published:Friday | December 21, 2018 | 12:00 AM
Dr Sean Thorpe, president of the Jamaica Computer Society (JCS), has said that the launch of its second diaspora chapter in New York City recently has signalled the strengthening network opportunities for technology-driven jobs.
The president contended that the move to launch this new chapter was both strategic and timely as partnerships will be the major channels through which development will be enhanced.
"There is a need to continuously improve access to technology education and innovation of our citizens, and in particular, our youth, through the broadened participation of communities with resources that are not normally available locally," he said.
"The impact of the diaspora is significant, and the continued build out of these JCS chapters abroad will serve as the critical success platform from which Jamaicans can develop ways of improving our competitive advantage globally," he said.
Arthur Phidd, the newly appointed chair of the JCS New York chapter said the efforts of the chapter, have to be measured by the need to drive impact through scholarships and other technological opportunities.
"Against this background, the JCS New York chapter, in its first year, will seek to raise US$50,000 through membership and otherwise as a part of this capacity-building initiative," Phidd said.
KEEPING RELEVANCE
Thorpe reiterated that the Jamaican innovation environment has to be both vibrant and relevant, given the very fast pace of digital disruption within our global markets.
"Importantly, it is these types of diaspora partnerships that can support opportunities for developing a relevant and current national skills registry. With two JCS chapters abroad now, we have already started to see traction by way of improved partnerships through the universities for access to computers for schools, for example, to drive learning-centred opportunities," he said.
"As that thrust continues, the JCS will work with the chapters abroad to explore increased avenues for skills transfer, and in particular, as it relates to establishing learning centres that can influence job skills in artificial intelligence, robotic automation, data analytics, information security, just to name a few," he continued.
The president added, "Where the objective is to assist government policy to drive the 1,000 or more technology jobs per year needed by the business process outsourcing and the knowledge process outsourcing (KPO) employment sector, the JCS Diaspora chapters can serve as an important vehicle for engaging this future Jamaican workforce that will drive the Industry 4.0 talent pool both by way of mentoring and building the pipeline."