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As Jamaica experiences record employment levels and rising optimism among businesses and consumers, concerns are mounting over a growing skills shortage that could undermine the country’s progress. This “confidence dilemma” will be the central theme at the third-quarter release of the GK Capital Management (GK Capital)/Jamaica Chamber of Commerce (JCC) Business and Consumer Confidence Indices on October 28.
Key Details
The event will convene prominent leaders from business, academia, and workforce development to discuss strategies for aligning Jamaica’s talent pool with the evolving needs of its economy. Scheduled speakers include:
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Dr Kevin Brown, President of the University of Technology (UTech)
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Dr Taneisha Ingleton, Managing Director of HEART/NSTA Trust
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Steven Whittingham, CEO of GraceKennedy Financial Group and Chairman of the Jamaica Stock Exchange
They will join Emile Leiba, President of the Jamaica Chamber of Commerce and Managing Director of DunnCox, and Tyshaun Lindo, Head of Business Development at GK Capital Management, in examining how to bridge the widening skills gap that threatens the nation’s competitiveness.
Recent data from the Statistical Institute of Jamaica (STATIN) show that unemployment fell to 3.3 per cent in the second quarter of 2025 — the lowest in the country’s history. Total employment rose to 1.44 million people, and labour force participation increased to 69.3 per cent.
Despite this historic achievement, the labour underutilisation rate stands at 6.7 per cent, revealing that many Jamaicans remain underemployed or are seeking additional work hours. Youth unemployment remains high at 10.2 percent, and approximately one in four young people is classified as Not in Employment, Education or Training (NEET).
Background
The upcoming forum takes place amid what experts call a paradox: a thriving economy paired with a talent shortage that could stall growth. Jamaica’s Business Confidence Index has remained steady, while the Consumer Confidence Index reached a record 186.3 points in the second quarter of 2025.
This positive outlook is driven by increased investment, expanding sectors such as tourism and finance, and strong domestic demand. However, many companies report increasing difficulty finding workers with the technical, managerial, and digital skills needed to sustain this growth.
According to GK Capital Management’s Tyshaun Lindo, this gap between optimism and operational capacity must be urgently addressed. “We have the optimism, the capital, and the entrepreneurial spirit,” Lindo explained. “But if we don’t align our strategic financial and talent pipeline with where businesses are going, we risk losing momentum when Jamaica is poised to surge. The confidence is there; the capacity is what we now must build.”
This mismatch has been labelled the “confidence dilemma” — where the sentiment surrounding Jamaica’s economic performance is strong, but workforce readiness has yet to catch up.
Quotes
Emile Leiba, President of the Jamaica Chamber of Commerce, underscored the issue of talent scarcity and its impact on business expansion.
“Members of the chamber, including my own business, have been finding that talent acquisition is getting more challenging each year,” Leiba said. “A rebalancing is needed in both the short and long term to upgrade our existing workforce to meet the needs of our businesses. This will require a partnership between the public and private sectors working towards this common objective.”
Leiba also described the upcoming confidence indices forum as “an important first step” toward uniting education institutions, employers, and policymakers around practical solutions.
Analysis
The Jamaican labour market’s dual challenge—low unemployment but persistent underemployment—reflects a global trend in developing economies transitioning toward knowledge-driven industries. While more Jamaicans are working, many are not in positions that fully utilise their skills or support long-term career growth.
This imbalance points to structural weaknesses in training and education systems. Experts say targeted investments in technical and vocational education, digital literacy, and apprenticeship programmes will be crucial. HEART/NSTA Trust’s involvement in the discussion signals recognition that reforming workforce development must go hand-in-hand with industrial growth.
Dr. Taneisha Ingleton, Managing Director of HEART/NSTA Trust, has previously emphasised the need for lifelong learning and training programmes tailored to Jamaica’s digital transformation. Integrating AI technologies and upskilling mid-career workers will be critical for maintaining global competitiveness.
Dr. Kevin Brown, President of UTech, is expected to advocate for stronger collaboration between universities and employers. His institution has been expanding its partnerships with private sector firms to ensure graduates are equipped with job-ready skills in areas such as engineering, business analytics, and information technology.
Steven Whittingham, who leads both GraceKennedy Financial Group and the Jamaica Stock Exchange, brings a private-sector lens to the conversation. His perspective underscores how human capital development directly influences Jamaica’s investment climate and economic confidence.
Our Opinion
Jamaica’s historic low unemployment rate is a milestone worth celebrating. However, the nation now faces the next stage of its economic evolution: ensuring that job creation aligns with sustainable skill development. The dialogue between business, education, and government is not just timely but essential.
The upcoming GK Capital/JCC forum represents a proactive step toward synchronising Jamaica’s growth trajectory with its human capital potential. Strengthening vocational education, fostering public-private training partnerships, and prioritising youth employment will be key.
If effectively addressed, the so-called “confidence dilemma” could become Jamaica’s greatest opportunity — turning optimism into long-term productivity and inclusive growth.
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