Jamaica is placing renewed emphasis on the development of local contractors as a strategic priority for national growth. Major government programmes, including the SPARK infrastructure initiative, have highlighted the essential role that Jamaican firms must play in building and maintaining public assets. This shift reflects a broader policy direction. Jamaica is seeking not only to expand infrastructure but to ensure that the economic benefits of national development are shared by local industries and skilled professionals.

Government officials have been clear about this direction. The Ministry responsible for information and infrastructure has stated that foreign firms bidding on certain major road projects will be required to partner with local contractors. This approach helps strengthen technical capacity, create employment and ensure that local expertise becomes central to national development.

The focus is not only on participation. It is on long term capability building across the Jamaican construction and engineering ecosystem.

A national effort to strengthen domestic capability

Jamaica’s public infrastructure needs are expanding. Urban growth, climate pressures and investment in transport corridors require contractors with significant technical capability. For years, many of the largest projects were carried out by foreign firms. While these companies contributed valuable expertise, it often meant that Jamaican contractors did not gain the opportunities needed to build experience at scale.

Government policy is now shifting toward a more balanced model that ensures:

• more work opportunities for Jamaican contractors
• structured partnerships between local and international firms
• stronger knowledge transfer in engineering and project management
• improved economic retention within Jamaica

This creates a healthier and more competitive contracting environment where local firms can grow, modernise and take on larger national responsibilities.

Tackling the challenge of talent and technical expertise

A significant factor shaping this policy is the loss of skilled engineers and construction professionals to overseas markets. Jamaica has faced a steady outflow of talent, especially in civil engineering, project management and technical trades. This has created capacity gaps that limit the pace at which the country can deliver major infrastructure programmes.

By ensuring local involvement in large projects, the government aims to create a stronger environment for professional development. When Jamaican firms participate in complex works, they gain:

• exposure to advanced engineering techniques
• experience with large scale project management
• capacity in cost control, reporting and compliance
• improved technical standards through direct collaboration

This helps retain talent and build a more resilient and capable national workforce.

Creating a more competitive and inclusive contracting ecosystem

As Jamaica expands its infrastructure ambitions, competition and capability must work hand in hand. Increasing local participation ensures that national development is not overly dependent on external partners. It also broadens the supplier base, improves resilience and encourages higher performance standards across the industry.

Foreign firms still have a role to play, particularly in providing technical support for complex or capital intensive projects. However, the emphasis is shifting toward shared responsibility. Partnerships must now reflect Jamaica’s interest in developing its own industry, not only delivering physical assets.

This creates opportunities for structured joint ventures, subcontracting arrangements and multi firm delivery models that leverage the strengths of both local and international partners.

Why this shift matters for Jamaica’s long term growth

Empowering local contractors contributes to economic stability and national resilience. When domestic firms grow, they recruit locally, train local professionals and reinvest in the Jamaican economy. Strong local capability ensures that maintenance, repairs and future upgrades can be managed sustainably, without relying heavily on external providers.

A skilled and competitive domestic contracting industry also supports broader development goals. It strengthens community infrastructure, improves responsiveness during emergencies and helps build nationwide engineering capacity that benefits every sector of society.

How Rhoden Group supports the development of local capacity

Rhoden Group aligns with Jamaica’s commitment to strengthening local contractors and building lasting capability. Through our integrated work in construction, operations and infrastructure, we support national objectives by delivering disciplined project management, technical expertise and structured operational support.

We collaborate with local teams, support knowledge transfer and prioritise high quality delivery that reflects Jamaica’s long term interests. We recognise that capacity building is essential for sustainable national development and are committed to contributing to a contracting environment where Jamaican professionals and firms can thrive.

By supporting government priorities and advancing local capability, Rhoden Group helps build a stronger, more resilient and more competitive national industry.