In an effort to prepare residents for employment, a number of specific activities were carried out, and has facilitated the ongoing training of 240 persons in two communities, in multiple skills. Meanwhile, 45 persons were trained in computer skills with funds from the HEART Trust/NTA and through the collaboration of non-governmental organisations.

In another four communities, entrepreneurial, construction, computer and other skills training are being conducted or have been completed for almost 300 persons.

Outside the targeted communities, Dr. Robertson noted, “we have preliminary evidence of a turnaround in the community of Grant's Pen where a special intervention is under way. We are discussing the feasibility of using the 'best practice' experience of Grant's Pen to structure social intervention in other distressed communities”.

In addition, he said under the programme, health/information fairs facilitated the registration of births for over 200 children and adults as well as first time immunization, while 65 elderly persons received medical and eye examinations.

Where education and youth development were concerned, private sector sponsors facilitated scholarships to enable several young persons to attend high school. Students were also assisted with fee payments and had access to homework centres. Dispute resolution and violence prevention training was also an integral focus of the programme and saw a United Nations Development Programme/Government of Jamaica collaboration which assisted the civic dialogue process, bringing stakeholders together.

Commenting on the Social and Economic Support Programme (SESP)
Dr. Robertson, said the model which was being used, which was based on that of the PATH programme, was fully computerised and was expected to become operational by September of this year. He also appealed to Members of Parliament in whose constituencies the system was currently being piloted to encourage their constituents to co-operate so that the September deadline could be met.