Preparatory work is being conducted to ensure that more residents in May Pen, Clarendon have access to employment opportunities.

This is part of Project STAR’s thrust to reduce crime and violence in May Pen.

Project STAR is a social and economic transformation initiative created by the Private Sector Organization of Jamaica in partnership with the Jamaica Constabulary Force.

May Pen is the latest community to benefit from the project.

Community Services Manager for Project STAR, Sharise Staines-Appleby says her team is assessing data gathered from the residents about their skills and interests.

She explains that this information will guide their job placements.

Project STAR’s five-year plan is to be in a minimum of 10 communities, with a planned expenditure of $2 billion.

The expected outcome is having communities that are executing a transformation plan owned by the citizens.