Applications Open for HEART TRUST’s Summer of Skills Programme

Applications are open for the HEART/NSTA Trust’s Summer of Skills Programme.

Jamaicans, aged 15 and older, who are interested in acquiring practical skills for employment or entrepreneurship or who are passionate about the creative arts and technical innovation, are encouraged to apply.

Addressing Wednesday’s (June 12) post-Cabinet press briefing at Jamaica House, Managing Director, Dr. Taniesha Ingleton, said the initiative aims to strengthen Jamaica’s Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) ecosystem.

“We are going to be providing training in high-demand sectors – welding, cabinetmaking, cosmetology, event coordination, cake baking and decorating, guest room services [and] tiling – and all of these align with market needs and trends,” she detailed.

Dr. Ingleton shared that personal growth is an incalculable benefit of participating in the summer programme.

“We will be able to foster confidence, teamwork and leadership skills through interactive workshops and collaborative projects,” she indicated.

Dr. Ingleton pointed out that the HEART/NSTA Trust is one of the critical pillars in Jamaica’s economic development.

“We must provide vocational, lifelong learning and employability skills that pivot the economy towards productivity and higher value-added activities in critical sectors such as tourism, construction, agriculture, manufacturing and engineering,” she said.

Training under the Summer of Skills Programme will be offered in three-week blocks in July and August.

HEART’s 28 institutions islandwide will offer training and some of the agency’s community projects will also be engaged.

On successful completion, participants will receive certification, skills assessment and certificates of participation.

Interested youth can register online at https://www.heart-nsta.org/summer-of-skills/ or any HEART location islandwide.