Find a way to keep more of our graduates here

There is absolutely nothing wrong with persons - whether skilled or unskilled - leaving Jamaica in search of better economic opportunities. There are many economic and sociocultural benefits to be gained in addition to the remittances they send to support their loved ones. By now, we all know that remittances contribute significantly to our gross domestic product and they do very well as cultural ambassadors.

I do, however believe that we ought to be more concerned about the vast number of persons, including tertiary educated persons, who are migrating and the reasons for their decision to do so. I feel as though we are too unperturbed about the situation. Perhaps it is because of our fascination with all things foreign (read America).

I am always saddened to hear persons gleefully give the low-down about their plans to leave the country. It's almost as if finding a way out of Jamaica has become as important as food, clothing and shelter. I could make a profitable business out of just listening to these plans and answering questions about why I am still in Jamaica.

Recently, Brigette, a friend who I went to the University of the West Indies with, told me that she is willing to go abroad (read New York) to work for US$15 an hour because she is certain she would be better off. Brigette is 27 with a degree in management studies and works in a call centre. She said she most definitely would be able to pay her student loan. Not very long after, another friend, Sophie, said something similar to me. She wanted to know if I could connect her with someone in New York to get a work. Sophie is willing to do almost any work - just so she could leave Jamaica. (Sigh.) Although I understand their frustration, I was overcome with great distress.

Why do so many of our people need to migrate? Achie-ving our goal of growth and development, Vision 2030, of making Jamaica the place of choice to live, work, raise families and do business is clearly very critical. We desperately need to ensure that we are creating opportunities for our people in their home country and to ensure that we can all feel as though we are citizens with the potential to make an invaluable contribution to bettering our lives and, by extension, the society.

what jobs?

Let's talk a little about immigration while we are on the subject of migration. It is apparent that while around 70 per cent or more of our tertiary educated Jamaicans are migrating, most of them presumably for economic reasons, more than 4,000 foreigners are coming here to take up jobs. What jobs? Where are these jobs?

In the last fiscal year (2013-2014), according to a news report, by this paper on June 24, 2014 titled 'Demand for Jamaican work permit increases', nearly 70 per cent of work permits granted by the Ministry of Labour and Social Security were to persons in the "professional, senior officials and technicians, occupational category". Of the 4,138 work permit applications that were approved, 69.5 per cent were for applicants from Asia and 10.9 per cent were from Europe.

Honestly, I am a little surprised by the data. I must make it clear that I am not in any way offended by foreigners coming to our country, and gaining employment. However, one can't help but ask if this means that so many of our people really do need to migrate to get jobs. Perhaps they are oblivious about what opportunities there are locally and too preoccupied with being in foreign.

The situation raises a few questions that I believe is germane to any discussion in relation to migration and unemployment in our country though. Is it that we are not being trained for available jobs in the country? Or is it that we just don't get the opportunities, however few, that are available? Is it that they do not and need to offer more multifaceted programmes that are relevant to our needs and could better supply the job market with appropriately trained persons?

We can't be so complacent about our situation and its impact on people with the information that is readily available to us. We need to begin to interrogate the excellent data we are collecting and develop and implement strategies to address them.

Let's find ways to keep more of our graduates here.

Jaevion Nelson is a youth development, HIV and human rights advocate. Email feedback to columns@gleanerjm.com and jaevion@gmail.com.