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The Jamaica Business Development Corporation (JBDC) is taking its Digital Jamaica Training initiative beyond urban centres into rural communities.
This is intended to ensure that entrepreneurs islandwide benefit from provisions focused on digitisation, digitalisation and digital transformation.
The move aligns with Jamaica’s national digital plan, which aims to bridge the digital divide, enhance education access and drive technological innovation in the private sector.
With a goal of training 2,700 entrepreneurs over a two-year period, between 2024 and 2026, the Digital Jamaica initiative has a target of reaching 40 per cent of participants in rural areas.
The current phase, which began in October 2024, focuses on digitisation, an essential first step in helping businesses modernise operations and improve efficiency.
Already, more than 100 entrepreneurs in Kingston, St. Andrew and St. Catherine have benefited from this training.
To broaden its reach, the JBDC team embarked on an islandwide rollout on January 29, starting in St. James.
Throughout February and March, entrepreneurs in eight additional parishes will have access to this invaluable training.
Each training session hosts approximately 20 participants in an immersive and intensive setting.
The curriculum is designed to equip business owners with crucial digital skills, including assessing business needs, choosing the right digital tools, implementing digital solutions, best practices; training employees in new digital tools, and overcoming challenges in digital transformation.
Beyond digitisation, the programme will evolve to cover more advanced topics in digitalisation and digital transformation, ensuring that MSMEs receive tailored support as they progress through their digital journey.
Participants will also receive resource materials, including curricula and training manuals, to facilitate long-term learning and application.
Micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) interested in participating can register at https://www.jbdc.net/digitaljamaica/.
As training dates may change, entrepreneurs are encouraged to check the website regularly for updates on upcoming sessions in their parish.
By enabling rural entrepreneurs to leverage digital tools effectively, the Digital Jamaica initiative aims to enhance business competitiveness, create new job opportunities and drive economic growth in Jamaica’s digital economy.
Source: JIS – https://jis.gov.jm/jbdc-expanding-digital-jamaica-training-to-rural-entrepreneurs/
