For more than two decades, U.S. employers across non-agricultural industries have continued to return to Jamaica for workers they trust. Among them is Kelly Gouge, a senior leader with a U.S.-based arboriculture and landscaping company operating across dozens of states.

“We started utilizing workers from Jamaica well over 20 years ago,” Gouge says. “And we really found them to be a great fit for us as an organization.”

What set Jamaican workers apart early was communication. In industries where crews work directly on private property and interact daily with customers, clarity matters.

“One of the reasons we originally sought workers from Jamaica rather than other countries is for their English-speaking skills,” Gouge explains. “Much of their communication is very, very good. They’re able to communicate with our customers, and frankly, our customers have grown to love them.”

That connection has translated into trust. Many Jamaican workers return season after season, becoming familiar faces to homeowners and commercial clients alike.

“They’re very trusted because we are on other people’s property,” she says. “They’re very respectful of that.”

Beyond communication, employers consistently point to work ethic. Jamaican workers are known for their willingness to put in long hours, work independently once trained, and take pride in the quality of their output.

“They are decidedly here to work and earn as much as they can for their families,” Gouge says. “They’ll pretty much work every hour that you give them, and they’re willing to go the extra mile.”

That attitude, she notes, has a ripple effect.

“Their enthusiasm really is contagious,” she says. “Not only with our other workers, but also with our clients as well.”

Under the H-2B Program, Jamaican workers have built a reputation across hospitality, landscaping, construction, and other non-agricultural sectors. While the programme operates more quietly than H-2A, its impact is felt by employers who rely on consistency, professionalism, and trust.

After years of experience across multiple locations, Gouge’s assessment is straightforward.

“They fit very well into our organization,” she says. “Culturally, professionally, and as part of a team.”

It is a sentiment echoed by employers across the H-2B landscape. Jamaican workers are not just filling gaps. They are setting the standard.