Partnerships have been an integral part of HEART in its 25 years. Here, Donald Foster (left) seals a partnership with Hassan Syed (right), president of the University College of the Cayman Islands (UCCI). Looking on are Pamella McKenzie (second right), national programme director, and Paulette Dunn-Smith, senior director of the NCTVET, both from HEART. HEART is helping the UCCI with their technical vocational education and training. - Contributed Photos

FOR THE first time in its 25-year history, the HEART Trust/National Training Agency (NTA) is set to enrol over 100,000 learners in a single year.

The agency says, based on its projections, enrolment in its training and certification pro-grammes will reach 107,000 learners in the 2007/08 fiscal year which ends on March 31 next year.

For the past fiscal year ended March 31, the agency enrolled almost 90,000 learners in its islandwide training programmes. The official enrolment mark stood at 89,472, with learners accessing training and certification in HEART/NTA institutions and programmes, as well as in a variety of partnerships coordinated by the HEART Trust/NTA.

Executive director of the HEART Trust/NTA, Donald Foster, says this is a considerable improvement over the last three to four years, when an average of just over 40,000 learners were gaining access to HEART's training and certification programmes each year.

Policy shift

Mr. Foster noted that the significant improvement was largely due to the policy shift made by the organisation three years ago, when it adopted a new technical operating model which broadened the access to its programmes across the country.

Since the inception of the HEART Trust/NTA in November 1982, almost 340,000 persons have completed training and certification programmes, with major focus on hospitality, building and construction, information communications technology, apparel and sewn products and commercial skills.

A meaningful difference

Sandra Glasgow (centre), HEART chairman, speaks with Oji Jaja (left), HEART-trained chef, and Paulette Dunn-Smith, senior director, NCTVET.

"We believe that our contribution has gone a far way in shaping a Jamaican workforce of which we can be proud, as we have consistently adapted to market changes over the past quarter of a century, in order to meet demands. Admittedly, there is still much work to be done, but we are definitely on track to continue to make a meaningful difference," said Mr. Foster.

The agency's performance indicators have been moving in a positive direction as it has achieved the targets for awarding the National Vocational Qualifications of Jamaica (NVQ-J) to learners in the institutions, enterprises, as well as through community-based providers of training and certification services.

As HEART celebrates its 25th year of operation, Mr. Foster noted that the major strides made by the agency would have been impossible without the long-standing partnership with highly valued Jamaican employers.

HEART is funded mainly by a three per cent payroll contribution by employers under the HEART Trust Act, and the National Training Agency's training programmes are tailored to meet the specific needs of industry. "We do not implement any training programme or develop any occupational standards without the direct input of employers and experts in the field," he added.