IN an effort to attract more professionals to Jamaica’s often complex construction industry, National Housing Trust (NHT) will offer $30 million in scholarships to undergraduate students over the next three years.

The first batch of 10 yearly recipients will be selected on December 3. Applications close on November 24.

Through the NHT’s Construction Scholarship, each student will receive up to $1 million towards tuition.

“The scholarship programme represents our investment in the construction industry. We believe that by attracting and supporting the right type of talent we can have the kind of innovation, the kind of efficiency, the kind of solutions the housing sector needs,” explained the NHT’s Assistant General Manager Corporate Communications and Public Affairs Dwayne Berbick.

He told the Jamaica Observer the scholarship was in response to concerns about an inadequate supply of technically skilled workers.

“We have quite a few partnerships with developers, and we have a good understanding of the lay of the land as it relates to construction. One of the concerns that we see constantly being identified by some of our partners is a shortage of talent in the construction industry. The scholarship is the NHT’s response to that challenge that they’re not able to find good talent at different levels of the industry. This is the NHT’s response as it relates to the technical component of it,” said Berbick.

The goal is to attract fresh faces and so the focus is on students at the undergraduate level. To be eligible, applicants must be enrolled at The University of the West Indies (UWI) or University of Technology, Jamaica (UTech) and pursuing studies in civil engineering, construction management, architecture, urban planning or related fields.

Civil engineering is largely concerned with the design, construction and maintenance of works such as buildings, bridges, airports, highways, water supply systems, and sewage treatment works. Construction management involves planning, budgeting, coordinating, and supervising construction projects from start to finish. Architecture is the art and practice of designing and making buildings, while urban planning is a technical and political process that is focused on the development and design of land use and the built environment. It is sometimes referred to as town planning.

“The scholarship really is to provide that financial assistance to those who are entering the programme. So we can cultivate new talent and get some leaders who can help with the labour supply issues that have been identified in the sector,” Berbick added.

If they qualify, there is nothing to prevent successful applicants from applying in the second and third years the scholarship is offered. While they are encouraged to be ambassadors for the construction scholarship over the three-year duration, beneficiaries have no obligation to work for the Government of Jamaica once they finish studying.

“There is no bond. It’s a one-time, one-off payment that we’re making each year,” Berbick assured.

“We would love if they come back and [do an] internship with us — but that is if they want to. There is no obligation that you need to be bonded, or you must work with the NHT after. We’re looking at the bigger picture; that the industry on a whole, benefits,” he added.

First announced by Prime Minister Andrew Holness in his 2024/2025 budget presentation, the NHT Construction Scholarship is expected to complement other efforts to address challenges in securing skilled labour. As Holness pointed out at the time, the NHT will also work with HEART/NSTA Trust to provide on-the-job training for construction workers. They will be paid a stipend, receive safety equipment, small tools and other learning aids, certification, and awarded the equivalent of two years’ points towards accessing their NHT benefit.

The construction scholarship being offered to students of The UWI and UTech provides benefits for another skill level and it will be the first time the NHT will directly administer such an initiative. For one previous scholarship offered by UTech, the NHT’s involvement was limited to participation on the selection panel and providing the funding. For the construction scholarship, it will have full responsibility for all operational aspects, but it will work closely with The UWI and UTech.

“They will assist us in terms of being on the panel to assist in evaluating the applications. But the programme itself, in its totality, is being administered by NHT,” Berbick told the Sunday Observer.

He is urging individuals to take advantage of the scholarship because “the industry needs them”.

To be eligible, candidates must demonstrate academic excellence and a commitment to their communities. Applications can be done online but the NHT is available to provide offline assistance, as needed. Short-listed applicants will be notified by November 30.

“Jamaica’s housing issues are complex, and they require some amount of innovation in terms of solutions. Whether you’re in the undergraduate programme or you’re looking on and you’re passionate about studying this in the future, and passionate about being part of the solution to some of the challenges in housing in Jamaica, apply. The financial support is there. Take advantage of it and partner with the NHT to support Jamaica,” Berbick appealed.