Community Intervention Plan
Jhoyvan Williams(SW20175440)
Shortwood Teachers’ College
Citizenship Education
Mrs. June Hoilett
May 13, 2023
Introduction
This research project aims to look at the problem of unemployment in the community of
Lincoln,St. Ann.This is a rural community roughly fifteen miles from the town of Moneague;the
research will draw from the researcher's personal experience in the community along with
information obtained from individuals within the community.To obtain the information from the
locals,six questions were sent to four individuals via Whatsapp,the questions used and the
responses obtained are included in the appendix at the end of this document.
YouTube Video: https://youtu.be/Pm_EhqUd5MY
The Issue of Unemployment
The proportion of a nation's labor force that is unemployed but actively looking for work
is known as unemployment.(MacroTrends, 2023).The issue of unemployment has long afflicted
Jamaica.Over the past ten years, Jamaica's unemployment rates have fluctuated between 9% and
15%, with a low of 7.69% in 2019.(Statista, 2023).Unfortunately, the start of the COVID-19
pandemic raised unemployment rates to 9.48% in 2020 before again decreasing to 8.90% by
2022.
While unemployment is a problem nationwide,rural areas are substantially more affected
by unemployment than urban areas are.In Jamaica,the largest proportion of the unemployed labor
force,roughly 48%,resides in rural areas(Statistical Institute of Jamaica, 2020).From the personal
experience of the researcher this is a problem which is very prevalent in Lincoln,especially
among the younger population.Using the information obtained from the persons
interviewed,along with personal experienced,the source of unemployment in rural areas can be
narrowed down to three main issues : limited job opportunities,lack of education or marketable
skills and poor infrastructure.
The first issue contributing to unemployment in the community of Lincoln is limited job
opportunities.Due to the absence of industries or commercial activities in rural communities like
Lincoln ,there tends to be a heavy dependence on the tourism and agriculture
sectors.However,the consensus opinion of the persons consulted for the research -most of whom
are between eighteen and twenty five years old- is that these jobs pay too little money for the
level of work that they require.Thus persons are largely unwilling to work in the tourism and
agricultural sectors and those happen industries happen to be the ones that are most accessible to
persons from the community.As a result of this,younger persons from Lincoln have largely
migrated to urban areas which have more opportunities for employment.
Another issue causing the unemployment seen in the community is the lower educational
level and the lack of marketable skills.Of the persons consulted for the research,the highest
educational level achieved was Sixth form education.The low levels of education and skills that
is prevalent in the community makes jobs seekers much less marketable to prospective
employers.This was cited by one person from the community who expressed that even the lower
level jobs that they applied to require at least HEART certificate or some type of specialized
skill.
Another issue which makes it very difficult for persons from the community to obtain
employment is the lack of transportation on the roads.In the community of Lincoln in
particular,there are only five taxis in operation for the entire community,these are illegal ‘robot’
taxis and as such they stop operation well before 8:00 pm.As a result of this,if persons are able to
obtain a job in a urban area,the commute to and from work is virtually impossible.Moreover,the
cost for commute is often so high that it makes most jobs financially obsolete.This was a
problem experienced by the researcher when working in summers.Due to the rigors of the
commute,the researcher had to resort to living with a relative who lived closer to work while
they were employed.Unfortunately,most residents do not have the same option and as such they
remain unemployed.
Importance of Volunteering and Community Service
According to the Oxford Dictionary(n.d.)Community service is voluntary work intended
to help people in a particular area.Meanwhile volunteerism is defined as the act or practice of
doing volunteer work in community service(Merriam-Webster Dictionary, 2023).
Volunteering and community service can play a crucial role in addressing the challenges
of unemployment in rural Jamaican communities. By volunteering at jobs,individuals can gain
on the job training which will allow unskilled individuals to gain the necessary skills that will
allow them to become more employable and increase their probability of gaining a job.
Additionally, volunteering can give people the chance to improve their resumes and exhibit their
dedication to their communities, which can make them more appealing to potential
employers.According to studies, unemployed people who volunteer over the course of the next
year have a 27 percent higher chance of finding work at the conclusion of the year than those
who don't (AmeriCorps, n.d.).
Community service can also be used to great effect to address the problem of
unemployment.Community service programs such as small business development, agriculture
can be instrumental in reducing unemployment in rural communities.Community service
programs can allow community members to work together and pool resources and skills which
will allow the creation of employment opportunities for the whole community.
Community Intervention Plan
Below is the 5 pointer intervention plan which could assist in the reduction of this issue at
the community level.This plan can be implemented at the community of Lincoln,but also at other
similar rural communities across Jamaica.
Steps
Procedure
Time frame
Resources
1. Implement educational and
As a precursor to this
6 Months
HEART Trust/National
vocational training:
step,unemployed persons from the
Training
The provision of individuals with
community would be surveyed to
Agency,Volunteers
necessary education and skills
determine which skills and
will make them more attractive
qualifications are most attractive to
to potential employers and thus
improve their overall earning
employers and also which jobs they
are most interested in.
potential.
Following that programs that target
the specific skills and industries in
which job seekers are interested
would be launched. These programs
could be offered through local
schools, vocational training centers,
or community organizations.
2. Provide technology to aid
Firstly,a needs assessment will be
in agricultural production and
done to determine the types of
Agriculture,local farm
provide financial incentives
technology that farmers need.
stores.
for farmers.
Once the needs are identified,
This step will involve the
appropriate technology can be
provision of more modern
selected.The farmers will then be
technology to aid in crop
trained in the use of the technology
production.This will aid in
making the farming process
6 Months
Ministry of
effectively.The technology will then
be distributed.
more efficient and profitable
which will attract more
persons.Additionally,financial
incentives such as a bonus if a
certain amount of crop
production is achieved could be
introduced.
3.Provide financial and
Firstly needs assessment would have 6 months
Ministry of Finance and
entrepreneurial support for
to be taken to determine the support
local banks and Credit
small businesses.
needed by the small
Unions-
businesses.Using the information
Building small businesses
from the needs assessment,financial
provides direct employment
support will then be granted by
within the
providing loans or grants to help
community.Different small
start up or expand the
businesses also directly
business.Small business owners will
benefit each other-a
also be offered training and
restaurant will purchase food
mentorship where necessary.
from a farmer and local
grocery shops.
4. Improve the Roads
Surveys will be conducted to assess
1 year to 1.5
Ministry of Transport
the extent of the damage to the roads years.
and Mining,Construction
Improving the roads can
and how they can be
workers
facilitate easier access to
improved.Funds will then need to be
rural areas, making it easier
secured to carry out the repairs,at
for businesses to reach
which point contractors and workers
customers and for workers to
can be hired to begin repairs.
commute to their jobs.
5. Attract Businesses
To entice investors to do business in
rural areas, the government can offer
taxi incentives. This will enhance
the financial feasibility of rural areas
and make them more appealing to
investors. However, it is crucial to
ensure that larger businesses
selected to operate in the area do not
1 year.
Ministry of Finance &
Public Service.
compete with smaller businesses.
Rather, they should belong to a
different industry altogether.
References
AmeriCorps. (n.d.). Volunteers More Likely to Land Jobs, Study Finds.
https://americorps.gov/newsroom/press-releases/2013/volunteers-more-likely-land-jobsstudy-finds
Douglas, L. (2021, June 2). Incentives coming for young farmers. Loop News.
https://jamaica.loopnews.com/content/incentives-coming-young-farmers
Espeut, P. (2023, January 20). Peter Espeut | Why is our literacy rate so low? Jamaica
Gleaner. https://jamaica-gleaner.com/article/commentary/20230120/peter-espeut-whyour-literacy-rate-so-low
Jamaica Gleaner. (2019, May 14). Growth & Jobs | Roadworks to boost economic
growth. News | Jamaica Gleaner. https://jamaicagleaner.com/article/news/20190514/growth-jobs-roadworks-boost-economic-growth
Jamaica Information Service. (2010). Agriculture Ministry Looks to Arable Lands in
Clarendon.Jamaica Information Service - the Voice of Jamaica.
https://jis.gov.jm/agriculture-ministry-looks-to-arable-lands-inclarendon/#:~:text=According%20to%20Dr.,Catherine%2C%20Clarendon%2C%20St.
MacroTrends. (2023). Jamaica Unemployment Rate 1991-2023.
https://www.macrotrends.net/countries/JAM/jamaica/unemployment-
rate#:~:text=Unemployment%20refers%20to%20the%20share,a%200.3%25%20decline
%20from%202020.
McGibbon, D. (2023, January 14). Letter of the Day | Time to move on from tourism
dependency. Letters | Jamaica Gleaner. https://jamaicagleaner.com/article/letters/20230114/letter-day-time-move-tourism-dependency
Merriam-Webster Dictionary. (2023). Definition of volunteerism. In Merriam-Webster
Dictionary. https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/volunteerism
Pearsall, J., Hanks, P., Soanes, C., & Stevenson, A. (2010). Oxford Dictionary of English.
Oxford University Press eBooks. https://doi.org/10.1093/acref/9780199571123.001.0001
Statista. (2022, June 21). Tourism share of GDP in Jamaica 2019-2021. | Statista.
https://www.statista.com/statistics/874514/jamaica-travel-tourism-total-contribution-togdp-by-share/
Statista. (2023, January 25). Jamaica - unemployment rate 1999 to 2021 | Statista.
https://www.statista.com/statistics/527097/unemployment-rate-in-jamaica/
Statistical Institute of Jamaica. (2020). Jamaican Labour Market: The Impact of COVID19. Jamaican Labour Market, 0799–6527.
ttps://statinja.gov.jm/covidPDF/Jamaican%20Labour%20Market%20Impact%20of%20C
OVID-19.pdf
The Jamaica Gleaner. (2017, September 14). Who is on our side? Letters | Jamaica
Gleaner. https://jamaica-gleaner.com/article/letters/20170914/who-our-side
Appendix
1. How would you describe the current employment situation in this community?
2. What are the major industries or sectors that provide employment opportunities to persons
in this community?
3. Are there any specific challenges or barriers you face when trying to find employment?
4. In your opinion, what factors contribute to the high unemployment rate in this rural area?
5. How accessible are job opportunities for persons in this community?
6. Do you believe there is a lack of education or training opportunities that hinder
employment prospects in this community?
Respondent 1
Respondent 2
Respondent 3
Respondent 4