Skills Training Opens Doors for JNSC Graduates

As Valesha Burke collected her award as one of the top performers in the Jamaica National Service Corps (JNSC) Skills Track for Workforce Development, she was filled with pride and hope for a brighter future.

She was named the most outstanding administrative assistance student in the programme.

For her, the achievement represents more than just personal success – it is a testament to hard work and dedication and an opportunity for the participants to open doors that once seemed out of reach.

“For many of us, being chosen for this programme was a door that led to a new path, one filled with growth, strength, discipline, endurance, new connections and even healing,” she shared with JIS News at the inaugural graduation ceremony held on June 20 at the Jamaica Defence Force (JDF) headquarters at Up Park Camp in Kingston.

“In the end, we didn’t just finish a programme; we endured, we conquered and now we are transformed. What we have gained is more than a certificate, but a core memory of strength, discipline, courage, and pride,” Ms. Burke added.

The Skills Track for Workforce Development, being executed by the JDF and the HEART/NSTA Trust, saw the graduation of its first cohort of 48 participants.

The youngsters, ages 18 to 23, were engaged over four months, with 20 participants trained in Administrative Assistance and 28 in Electrical Installation.

In a reflection, Ms. Burke said that the students entered the programme on February 24 eager but apprehensive of what was to come.

She outlined that for the first month of the programme, Thursdays and Fridays were dedicated to military training, which was difficult but rewarding.

“Physical training sessions were part of our routine, with all of us actively participating. Drilling, though exciting, was one of the most challenging aspects we had to master. Not all of us got it right on the first, second, or even the third try. But today, we can all stand at attention with confidence and precision,” she said.

She outlined that the participants learned the core values of the JDF and the guiding principles of courage, commitment, honour, integrity, loyalty, and discipline. “We were challenged to think critically, to be creative, to collaborate, to foster camaraderie, to take initiative and get the work done,” the JNSC participant said.

In his remarks, the top student in the Electrical Installation course, Owayne Smith, outlined that over the three months spent on dedicated training, he and his colleagues gained practical experience and comprehensive knowledge in electrical systems, safety standards, and installation techniques.

“From interpreting wiring diagrams to testing live circuits, each project posed different challenges and enhanced our problem-solving abilities and attention to detail. Collaborating with peers on hands-on projects has strengthened our teamwork and communication skills,” Mr. Smith said.

He said that the JNSC programme not only equipped the participants for future career opportunities but also boosted their confidence.

“This class has been a transformative experience, encouraging critical thinking and efficient work practices. We are now eager to apply these skills in real-world environments and continue advancing as professionals,” the JNSC participant shared.

He thanked the stakeholders who conceptualised and contributed to the training programme.

“This experience not only rescued us from unemployment but also transformed us into skilled individuals ready to serve our nation. To the JDF and HEART/NSTA, we say hats off for empowering us and shaping our future,” Mr. Smith said.

He encouraged his peers, as they enter the workforce, to move forward with the discipline, resilience and knowledge that they have gained.

The JNSC is an outgrowth of the Government’s broader vision to secure Jamaica’s future through structured and purposeful youth engagement.

Formed in 2017 as a component of the Learn, Earn, Give and Save (LEGS) initiative, the programme has impacted nearly 7,000 Jamaicans to date.

Prime Minister Holness said the JNSC is part of the Government’s broader vision to secure Jamaica’s future through structured and purposeful youth engagement.

He noted that over the years, the JNSC has evolved from a focus on preparing individuals for military service to include a secondary effort aimed at national workforce development.

He said that the workforce development arm of the JNSC “is a powerful response to three of the most persistent challenges facing our economy – high numbers of unattached youth, skills mismatch in the labour market, as well as the misalignment between employers’ expectations and employee readiness”.

He noted that the programme was carefully designed to develop not just the knowledge base of the participants, but also their character.