Letter of the Day | Take a chance on a recent graduate

THE EDITOR, Madam:

As another cohort of graduates from The University of the West Indies prepares to enter Jamaica’s workforce, I issue a simple appeal to government, the private sector, and public institutions alike: take a chance on a recent graduate.

For years, we have encouraged young Jamaicans to study hard, earn degrees, and equip themselves with the skills needed to contribute to national development. They have kept their end of the bargain. Now the country must keep ours.
Jamaica has made significant progress in expanding access to tertiary education. Institutions such as The University of the West Indies and the University of Technology continue to produce thousands of graduates each year. Yet while our education system has become increasingly successful at producing qualified graduates, the transition from education to meaningful employment remains difficult for many young people.

According to STATIN, Jamaica’s unemployment rate stood at a historic 3.6 per cent in March 2026, but youth unemployment remained much higher at 10.7 per cent. Many graduates spend months seeking opportunities, taking unpaid work experience, or accepting jobs unrelated to their fields. Others leave the country in search of better prospects.

This challenge requires deliberate action. Jamaica should build on existing internship programmes by creating a coordinated National Graduate Transition Programme that places final-year university students in structured, field-related internships and encourages employers to hire successful participants permanently. Greater incentives should also be offered to organisations that recruit and train recent graduates in sectors critical to national development, including technology, agriculture, manufacturing, renewable energy, healthcare, and the creative industries.

Universities, too, should strengthen partnerships with industry so that career planning, mentorship, and practical work experience become integral parts of every degree programme. A country that invests heavily in educating its people must be equally committed to creating opportunities for them to contribute. Otherwise, we will continue producing graduates ready to build Jamaica while leaving too many waiting for the chance to do so.

Timmoy T. Sinclair