The JET Project focuses on preparing Jamaican youth for the demands of the digital economy by providing data-driven insights and training programs. Using the Employment & Skills Monitor powered by AI from Citibeats, it identifies labor market trends and gaps in digital skills.

Methodology:

Data is gathered through digital platforms, including social mediaSocial media refers to online platforms and applications that enable users to create, share, and interact with content, connecting people and communit… and forums, and analyzed using Citibeats’ ethical AI. This tool anonymizes private information, controls biases, and ensures data representativity. Over 82,000 opinions and 279,000 voices have been collected from countries including Jamaica“Jamaica” represents much more than just an island in the Caribbean; it is a symbol of cultural vibrancy, resilience, and a deep-rooted sense of ident…, the UK, and the US.

Key Findings:

1. Digital Skills in Demand (Jamaica):
   • Top emerging skills include digital image and video editing and maritime software.
   • Sentiment analysis highlights a balanced mix of positive, negative, and neutral tones in discussions.
   • Data collection between July 2021 and June 2023 processed over 22,000 documents.
2. Regional Caribbean Analysis (Excluding Jamaica):
   • The designDesign in the context of Jamaica encompasses a fusion of art, technology, and culture, where traditional craftsmanship meets modern digital tools. Jam… is a prominent skill across the region.
   • Data collected from July 2021 to June 2023 analyzed 1,700 documents.
3. International Opportunities:
   • The US and UK offer remote job opportunities, with programming, cybersecurity, and foundational digital skills being most in demand.
   • Between July 2021 and June 2023, 259,000 documents were analyzed.

Employment & Skills Monitor Highlights:

The platform uniquely identifies trends, adapting to the language and context of collected data. Its approach prioritizes privacy and quality data classification.

Challenges and Recommendations:

The rapidly evolving job market driven by automation and digitalization presents opportunities and challenges for Jamaican youth. Policies must focus on empowering youth with sustainable job opportunities, laying a foundation for economic growth and prosperity in Jamaica and the Caribbean.