More J’cans wanted for work and travel programme

President of the Jamaican Association of Employment and Cultural Exchange (JAECE), Mark Foster, said that the crisis in Ukraine may lead to more spaces opening up for Jamaicans to participate in the overseas work and travel programme this year.

Foster, in an interview with THE STAR, said that vast numbers of students normally travel from China, Turkey and Russia to participate in the programme. He said that with the instability caused by Russia's invasion of Ukraine, more Jamaican students will be required to work in the United States this summer.

"Separate and apart from the demand increase for Jamaican students -- just because of those things -- Jamaican students have been very good in the programme. They have good work ethics, they speak English well, and people like Jamaicans and our culture," Foster said.

JAECE is an umbrella group that is dedicated to promoting opportunities for students and youth in the educational travel industry.

Foster said that Jamaican students form the largest cohort of participants in the J-1 programme overseas, who gain employment at theme parks, restaurants and hotels. Last year, it was reported that 5,000-plus students travelled to the United States from Jamaica, a major increase from 2020 when only 500 students were able to participate due to the pandemic.

Foster said that more that 7,500 university students normally travel on the programme yearly.

"We don't think that last year's decline has to do with COVID-19 or vaccination because they are not against taking the vaccine. They want to do the programme, so the vaccine is just a small price to pay, based on the benefits of the programme. What has changed since last year November is that the US Embassy had assured us, they would return to pre-COVID-19 numbers, where they interview and grant more than 8,000 students to travel and they started interviews as early as February this year. Majority of the students have got their visas already," Foster shared.

The JAECE president said that it was not too late for persons to sign up with an overseas job agency in order to participate in the programme this year.

"It is really an investment in your personal development and diplomacy, not only for the United States but for other countries. The aim of the programme is to have mutual respect and understanding for others, to appreciate the differences so that we can avoid conflicts," he told THE STAR.