Regional Stakeholders Endorse JSE New Online Professional Certificate Programme

Several regional stakeholders have endorsed the Jamaica Stock Exchange (JSE) e-Campus’ new online Caribbean Securities Trader Professional Certificate Programme.

The three-tiered Programme, delivery of which commenced on March 7, comprises the FX (Foreign Exchange) Trader, Caribbean Securities, and Brokerage Operations Management courses.

It is designed to ensure that participants are fully equipped with a broad understanding of operations within the various Caribbean financial services sector markets and the corresponding laws governing them.

Additionally, it is expected that persons will acquire the requisite foundation that enables them to secure jobs within the regional industry and be equipped to provide in-depth knowledge of investments and the various products offered, thereby positioning them to make prudent recommendations and investment decisions.

Speaking during the Programme’s recent virtual launch, Managing Director for the Barbados Stock Exchange (BSE), Marlon Yarde, said he supports any educational opportunity that capital market stakeholders are afforded to further develop their skills.

“I know that to really add value to your profession, you must seek to continually upgrade your skills,” he emphasised.
Mr. Yarde, who highlighted the e-Campus’ programme development in this regard, said these have added value to the local financial services sector, “resulting in Jamaica being one of the leading [capital] markets in the world, by varying standards and matrices, over the years”.

“I endorse fully what the JSE is doing. I commend [JSE Managing Director] Marlene Street Forrest, her management team, and the Board for their initiative in introducing this new programme. We look forward to the continued success in your educational programmes for your market and, indeed, those throughout the Caribbean,” he added.

Senior Operations Manager for the Eastern Caribbean Stock Exchange (ECSE), Geron Burnett, noted that improved access to financial services in the Caribbean is pivotal to spurring rapid and sustained growth across the region.
This, he said, can be attained by having qualified financial professionals who are aware of the latest sector developments, “and actively use this information to develop products and provide services that meet our needs in the Caribbean”.

Mr. Burnett emphasised that this renders the Caribbean Securities Trader Professional Certificate Programme “a very timely and important development for the future of the securities markets across the region”.

He said the programme provides an opportunity for finance professionals to enhance their knowledge beyond the minimal regulatory training requirements, and gain exposure to information that can enhance what they know about the regional securities markets.

“We realise the importance of training our professionals and equipping them with information that reflects the reality of investing in the Caribbean. [In this regard] we are pleased to see that there is now a programme, designed specifically for the Caribbean, that will help our region and regional markets to grow, and enhance the products and
services available to investors,” Mr. Burnett added.

This, he further indicated, “will take us a lot closer to what should be our ultimate goal of becoming more competitive as a region, improving the quality of life of our citizens, and bringing us closer to the regional integration of our securities markets”.

For her part, Acting Chief Executive Officer (CEO) for the Trinidad and Tobago Stock Exchange (TTSE), Eva Mitchell, said in light of the significant disruption caused by the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic across the Caribbean, initiatives such as the new training programme will provide much-needed interconnectivity amongst the
territories.

Additionally, she said it can “become the catalyst to allow us to upgrade our skills, scale-up the contribution of the financial sector, and elevate the profile and capabilities of the region”.

In her remarks, JSE Managing Director, Marlene Street Forrest, said much has been done to ensure that the new programme is a “comprehensive Caribbean course”.

She indicated that it has been approved by the Financial Services Commission (FSC), “who looked at it to see what the offerings are and whether it will satisfy and stimulate the sort of learning and learning outcomes that are necessary”.

Additionally, she said it has received the “full blessings and endorsement” of the Jamaica Securities Dealers Association (JSDA).

“We are excited [about it] in Jamaica; we also know that our colleagues… from the various [regional stock] exchanges are very excited about this. We have the various securities commissions who we are engaging also, to endorse and accept this programme.

So, we know that it will be good for the Caribbean,” Mrs. Street Forrest added.

e-Campus Principal, Samuel Parkes, advised that the process towards attaining University Council of Jamaica (UCJ) accreditation for the programme has commenced,. Additionally, he said steps are being taken to have the course “prudently certified” by the United Kingdom (UK) Continuing Professional Development (CPD) Certification
Service Institute.

The Service was established in 1996 and is the leading independent CPD accreditation institution, providing the highest quality accredited training and events suitable for the Continuing Professional Development policies of professional bodies.

It is the largest and most recognised CPD training accreditation service in the UK, which, for over 20 years, has been supporting accredited CPD providers from across all industry sectors.

The Institute of CPD serves the public interest by helping to raise the effectiveness of professionals through the promotion of CPD as an important and integral element of lifelong learning.

The entity offers membership to individual professionals who are keen to undertake formal CPD to bolster their careers.

For further information on the Caribbean Securities Trader Professional Certificate Programme, persons may visit jseecampus@jamstockex.com.

Founded in 2010, the JSE e-Campus is committed to providing professionals across the various sectors that the Jamaica Stock Exchange (JSE) serves, with transformational career development training.

It offers a Post-Graduate Diploma in Financial Services Management, which comprises 14 courses in three modules, with each being taught by reputable lecturers within the field.

Each of these courses may also be completed as a short-term postgraduate certificate course at either of two levels – Certificate of Completion or Certificate of Participation.