Growth & Jobs | Upcoming summit to discuss strategies to drive productivity

NEXT MONTH’S staging of the Future of Work and Productivity Summit represents a crucial juncture in Jamaica’s drive towards transforming productivity to accelerate economic growth, says Minister of Labour and Social Security Pearnel Charles Jr.

The event, under the theme ‘Bridging the Innovation Gap: Education, Skills and Economic Transformation’, will be held at the University of Technology (UTech) in Papine, St Andrew, over three days, beginning June 20.

It will bring together industry leaders and experts to share insights and strategies to increase workplace productivity, including leveraging cutting-edge technology to boost efficiencies.

The staging of the three-day summit coincides with the observance of World Productivity Day on June 20.

Speaking at the media launch held at the UTech campus on May 9, Charles noted that productivity must be a lifestyle, and the goal of the summit is to initiate conversation around transforming Jamaica.

“We have to define our spaces for efficiency … we are driving towards transformation; we have no choice. The intention is for us to move productivity into all spheres,” he noted.

Permanent Secretary in the ministry, Collette Roberts Risden, said the summit will underscore the ministry’s commitment to advocate for and actively implement policies that support digital upskilling and the adoption of new productivity tools.

“This is essential as we bridge the gap between current educational and training output and the future skills that are required for our economy,” she pointed out.

Among the objectives of the summit are to educate and inform industry leaders, policymakers and academics about the significance of innovation in productivity, as well as to foster a multi-stakeholder dialogue that promotes an inclusive approach to economic growth.

For her part, Minister without Portfolio in the Office of the Prime Minister with responsibility for skills and digital transformation, Dr Dana Morris Dixon, noted that a commitment to productivity extends into developing a workforce that is digitally literate and equipped with the skills to thrive in a rapidly changing environment.

She said that Jamaica is responding positively to data from the World Economic Forum, which indicates that 50 per cent of all employees will need reskilling within another year due to the advancement in technology.

“We have spearheaded initiatives to train Jamaicans with the skills of artificial intelligence, robotics, mechatronics, digital literacy and much more,” she said, noting that the HEART/NSTA Trust is also transforming to meet current and future demands.

During the function, a donation of $1 million was handed over to the Jamaica Productivity Centre (JPC) by the Development Bank of Jamaica.

Acting Managing Director David Wan said that the gift is a “general-purpose contribution” to the work of the JPC as it embarks on various projects to promote productivity.

“We support the productivity initiative because I think it is necessary for the country. All the companies should pay attention to productivity because it is a factor in inflation, it’s a factor in the competitiveness for the country, and it is beneficial for all of our companies to increase their productivity,” he said.