With support from the EU, students at the Jamaica Foundation for Lifelong Learning (JFLL) will benefit from improvements to its Savanna-la-mar facilities. The project falls under the ambit of the Sugar Transformation Unit of the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries, with funding from the EU's Accompanying Measures for Sugar (AMS) Programme.

Funding for the upgrades is valued at nearly 4 million Jamaican Dollars (~30,000 Euros). This has resulted in three (3) new classrooms and upgrades to its computer skills training facility. As a result, a larger complement of students will have access to continued education and skills development, boding well for both current and future employment prospects.

This morning's opening was attended by Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries, the Hon. Derrick Kellier, Minister of Education, the Hon. Rev. Ronald Thwaites, executives from JFLL, including Executive Director Worrel Hibbert,  in addition to Head of the Delegation of the European Union in Jamaica, Ambassador Paola Amadei.

Ambassador Amadei emphasised that this project is an example of the importance placed on the potential of the region and the country beyond its resources: "The potential is not just in the resources however, it is in the people. And it is the human resource that explains why we are here today. Last year, we marked the EU's 40th Anniversary with Jamaica, and it is projects such as this that are great examples of the fruitful cooperation we share, and it is indeed a positive start to 2016."

She added that this project will have an impact on sugar workers in particular, providing an avenue for many as the industry transitions: "Jamaica's competitiveness is dependent on its people, and when they are well equipped, it bolsters the numerous other efforts that are all taking place."