Avasant Foundation, JAMPRO & Xerox launches digital training and employment program for under-served Jamaican youth

For Immediate Release Los Angeles, California - Avasant Foundation (AF), in partnership with Jamaica Promotion Corporation (JAMPRO) and Xerox Corporation, launched its Avasant Youth Digital Employment Initiative to foster employment opportunities in Jamaica. Launched in June 2015, this six-week comprehensive skill development program equipped 30 high potential and under-served youth in the Kingston region with the professional skills necessary to foster a thriving career in the Business Process industry. “The program bridges a gap between the needs of employers in the Business Process industry seeking qualified workers and the youth who are seeking employment opportunities. The Avasant Youth Digital Employment Initiative provides the necessary training to allow these youth to be more attractive to employers,” said Honorable Julian Robinson, Minister of State in the Ministry of Science, Technology, Energy and Mining. Growing at 15% annually, as a nearshore destination to the US, the Jamaican IT and Business Process industry has improved its regional market share and global positioning. However, the country is encountered with severe youth unemployment of about 26%, double the national average of 13.4%. With JAMPRO’s goal of creating 30,000 jobs in the Jamaican Business Process industry by 2020, the Avasant Youth Digital Employment Initiative provides a sustainable and scalable technology training program that prepares youth for employment in technology and telecommunications. "The Avasant Foundation's inaugural training program was positive for everyone involved. For students who had the opportunity to learn, grow and increase their employability, for the trainers who had the opportunity to pass on their knowledge and experience to a group of talented young people, and for Xerox, who had the opportunity to be associated with a community-based program introducing potential recruits to the BPO sector," said Helen Bloomfield, Human Resources Director at Xerox Corporation. The Avasant Youth Digital Employment Initiative partners included: Business Process Industry Association of Jamaica (BPIAJ), Xerox Corporation, Teens for Technology, Hinduja Global Solutions, Sutherland Global Services, University of Technology, and Global Gateway Solutions. "Beyond an education, our students receive critical skills proven to win jobs in the digital economy,” said Chitra Rajeshwari, Executive Director of the Avasant Foundation. “The six-week training has not only provided our students with the basic tools they need to get their foot in the door but it has also empowered them to succeed with confidence.” About Avasant Foundation Avasant Foundation is a private, not-for-profit organization, which aligns corporate social responsibility initiatives for Avasant and its affiliates by leveraging its expertise in globalization, rural economic development, skills development and technology services. Avasant Foundation’s mission is to identify and support programs that uplift and create opportunities to the needy in underdeveloped and emerging economies. Learn more at www.avasantfoundation.org. About Avasant With its headquarters in Los Angeles, California, Avasant is a leading management consulting firm providing digital transformation, sourcing advisory and governance services to Fortune 1000 clients around the globe. Our talented team of consultants, technologists and lawyers average over 20 years of industry-honed experience and have conducted 1,000+ engagements in over 40 countries worldwide. Avasant drives customer value through the use of its proprietary consulting and advisory methods, which have been refined over decades of real world transaction and engagement experience. The combination of world-class resources and cross-industry experience enables Avasant to yield superior business outcomes for its global clients across four primary domains: Digital, Business & IT Transformation, Strategic Sourcing, and Globalization Advisory. Media Contacts: Chitra Rajeshwari Avasant Foundation chitra.rajeshwari@avasantfoundation.org Jemie Sae Koo Avasant 310-643-3030 jemie.saekoo@avasant.com