NCB Foundation

ENTREPRENEURSHIP

In an effort to foster the spirit of entrepreneurship among our youth, the N.C.B. Foundation has partnered with several skills-based projects. These projects have sought to enhance the skills of trainees through programmes in data entry, IT training and small cottage industry development. Through these programmes, persons from both inner city and rural communities have an opportunity to obtain gainful employment and economic self sufficiency. In the hopes of expanding such initiatives, the Foundation has assisted in the creation and upgrading of IT facilities and, donated over 500 computers to schools and community groups islandwide to date.

Trinityville HEART/NTA Skills Training Centre

In 2008, N.C.B. Foundation supported the efforts of the rural Trinityville HEART/NTA Skills Training Centre. The Foundation purchased equipment and support an entrepreneurship programme that assists local persons to build small, cottage industries with inidiginous materials available in the area. Some cottage industries that have already been developed are wine preparation; juice bottling; dried fruits; and, fruit preserves. The Foundation also assisted in the purchase of several computers to increase the capacity of the database training programme

Jamaica Manufacturer’s Association (JMA)

The N.C.B. Foundation has partnered with the Jamaica Manufacturers’ Association (JMA), to fund the Nicola Gordon-Rowe’s Schools’ Entrepreneurship Competition. Secondary students between grades 10 to 13 were asked to submit a business idea that could be used to jump start a venture within their schools using $50,000 provided as capital. The students have the opportunity to secure more funds for their projects in the sum of $150,000 for first place, $100,000 for second place and $50,000 for third place plus learning firsthand the skills required to run a successful business. This initiative, which amounts to $1.5 million over 3-years, highlights the Foundation’s increased commitment towards supporting entrepreneurship at all levels of society.