Education Real Engine of Growth – Floyd Green

State Minister for Education, Youth and Information, Hon. Floyd Green, says education and training are essential for Jamaica to achieve its “five in four” strategy for economic growth and development.

Mr. Green, who was addressing the launch of the German Model Apprenticeship Programme at the Caribbean Maritime University (CMU) in Kingston on June 8, said education represents the real engine of growth.

“We have to get education and training right… . The Prime Minister is going out and getting the investments into Jamaica, but if we are getting them and we do not have the human resources to match those investments, then they won’t come,” he pointed out.

Under the apprenticeship programme, approximately 25 welders and fitters are to be among the first group of students to receive training to international standards.

This will make them ready for employment as technical shipyard personnel in the dockyard being developed by German Ship Repair Jamaica Limited at Harbour Head in Kingston. The company is a joint venture between Jamaica and Germany.

The students will earn a stipend while being engaged in training.

Under another component of the programme, a third-year cadet student has received a scholarship to train at DNV GL in Germany.

DNV GL is an international accredited registrar and classification society, which provides services for several industries, including maritime, renewable energy, oil and gas, electrification, food and beverage, and healthcare.

Mr. Green commended the launch of the apprenticeship programme and the various stakeholders involved in bringing the initiatives to fruition.

The partners include CMU, Ministry of Education, Ministry of Transport and Mining, Jamaica Freight and Shipping Company Limited, HEART Trust/NTA, Embassy of the Federal Republic of Germany, German Ship Repair Jamaica Limited, and Harren & Partner Ship Management.

The Education State Minister said that creating strategic partnerships to develop the country’s human resources is important, especially as the Government targets the revitalisation of a national apprenticeship scheme.

Mr. Green pledged the support of his Ministry to the initiatives and said he looks forward to the expansion of the offerings.

Meanwhile, Senior Advisor to the Transport and Mining Minister, Bindley Sangster, said the impact of the training opportunities provided will be far-reaching because “they are intricately linked to the global supply of sea, air and land”.

He noted that the global labour market now requires individuals with competent skills and specialised training.

German Ambassador to Jamaica, Joachim Schmillen, expressed elation at being able to partner with CMU, and wished the students well in their endeavours.

For his part, Executive Director of the CMU, Dr. Fritz Pinnock, said he is committed to positioning the entity as a world-class institution “to stand above other universities globally”.

Scholarship awardee, Winston Chambers, expressed gratitude for the opportunity to study for three weeks in Germany, and indicated that he will be passing on the knowledge gained to fellow students.