Black Gold

Human resource development (HRD) in organizations is analogous to welcoming a child to the playground for the first time. It is concerned with acquiring talent and the ongoing management and development that is required. Using a developmental psychology approach the author suggests that Jamaicans have to first develop A Will to Live that is the source of all future occupational tasks. In a follow-up chapter Building Human Capital Through Education by Keisha A. Mitchell Maurice J. Elias and Clement Branche human resource development is explored through formal education. Finally Transforming Communities through Vocational Training and Social Entrepreneurship by Keisha A. Mitchell explores how those who drop out of the formal system can develop accreditation for the skills that they have acquired through apprenticeship or on-the-job training. The goal of this collection is to present readers with insight into the Jamaican landscape of HRD. It seeks to create an awareness that the size of a place does not determine the impact that its people can have with access to appropriate education training and opportunities for lifelong learning.