JIS: Minister of Education, Youth and Information, Senator the Hon. Ruel Reid, says the Government, through public and private institutions, is providing training for more than 20,000 persons in various skill areas that are needed by the labour market.
The move, he said, is in recognition that a trained and certified workforce is critical to the country’s quest for sustained economic growth and development.
“The Ministry’s remit is to assist in the development of policy and in building a trained and competent workforce, which will contribute to the development of the productive sector, ultimately attracting investments and thereby improving Jamaica’s economy,” Minister Reid said.
“Once the country can develop and maintain this platform of relevant and applicable skills, members of society will be provided with more opportunities to improve the quality of their lives,” he noted further.
Senator Reid was speaking at the HEART Trust/NTA’s College of Hospitality Services/Western Hospitality Institute trade show held on November 16 at the Cardiff Hotel and Spa, Runaway Bay, St. Ann.
The trade show displayed the work of students in the areas of food and beverage, and tourism and hospitality management.
This is under a programme being implemented through partnership between the HEART Trust/NTA and the Joint Committee for Tertiary Education (JCTE) for the training of students in areas targeted for economic growth, including business process outsourcing (BPO), agriculture, transportation and logistics and hospitality services.
Institutions involved in the project include the Western Hospitality Institute; Northern Caribbean University; The Mico University College; International University of the Caribbean; College of Agriculture, Science and Education; and the Caribbean Maritime University.
Senator Reid said the trade show provided an opportunity for the students to demonstrate their skills and also network with stakeholders in the agro-tourism sector.
He noted that “with the growth in the tourism industry, with more rooms being built, there is an increasing need for skilled workers at all levels in the sector. You are, therefore, taking the right steps in be in the right place at the right time”.
“Your project here today is a practical demonstration of this approach to education and training. We believe that Jamaica must move in the direction of supporting education and training that are aligned to industry needs,” he added.
CAPTION: Minister of Education, Youth and Information, Senator the Hon. Ruel Reid, addressing the HEART Trust/NTA’s College of Hospitality Services/Western Hospitality Institute trade show held on November 16 at the Cardiff Hotel and Spa, Runaway Bay, St. Ann.