Heart Trust/NTA Developing Career And Lifelong Learning Policy

The HEART Trust/NTA is developing a Career and Lifelong Learning Policy aimed at promoting continuous learning for a dynamic and constantly changing job market.

The agency’s Career Development Unit preparing the policy will ensure that the country’s labour force has access to programmes and services, which will help them in managing their life, learning and working in self-directed ways.

Director, Institutional Development and Research, Vocational Training and Development Institute (VTDI), Kerron Lindo, in noting the importance of career and lifelong learning, said that “no longer do we have the same career for life as many of our parents and grandparents.”

“It is said we will have seven career changes in a lifetime…career development, therefore involves providing individuals with transversal skills so they can move between jobs,” he pointed out.

Mr. Lindo was speaking at a National Career Week regional forum and exposition at the Excelsior High School in Kingston on Thursday (February 18).

He noted that through the Career Development Unit, the Ministry is assisting teachers to integrate career development across the curriculum.

“Career development officers throughout the island provide guidance from the moment individuals apply to the point at which they graduate and beyond,” he said.

He reaffirmed the agency’s commitment to working with the Ministry of Education in ensuring that students have the guidance and information that they need to make the necessary decisions about their careers.

He said that getting children actively involved in planning their careers and marketing themselves are vital ingredients in developing the labour force of the future.

“We also want to help them to realise the importance of good values and attitudes in helping them to be successful in work and life and that there is value in community service and volunteerism in getting jobs and advancing in careers,” he noted.

Scores of students from several high schools in the Corporate Area participated in the forum and exposition, aimed at preparing them for the world of work, entrepreneurship and higher education.

Among the institutions are Wolmer’s Girls, Hillel Academy, Alpha Academy, and Oberlin, Ardenne, Camperdown, Gaynstead, Excelsior and Papine High schools.

National Careers Week, from February 13 to 19, is a partnership between the Education Ministry and the HEART Trust/NTA.