Officer for Placement and Promotions at Sam Sharpe Teachers’ College, in St. James, Tavia Barnes-Brown, said the college has embarked on strategies to attract more male students to the teaching profession, such as giving grants to boost male enrolment. “We also take our male students out there, so others can see them and realise it is okay to get involved...

The Jamaica Cancer Society will be focusing on adolescent health in February, with specific attention on harmful habits such as alcohol use, substance abuse, unhealthy diets and smoking. February will be observed as Healthy Lifestyle Awareness Month by the Society, and its Executive Director, Yulit Gordon, says unhealthy habits put youth at risk for chronic illnesses, including cancer. The Executive...

The National Environment & Planning Agency (NEPA) will be partnering with the Urban Development Corporation (UDC) in its beach clean-up exercises at select locations across the island, as part of activities for International Coastal Clean-Up Day on Saturday, September 16. The select areas are Half Moon Bay in Hellshire, St. Catherine; the Portland Bight Protected Area and locations in Negril....

Plans are advanced for the Tourism Product Development Company’s (TPDCo) establishment of a Craft Development Institute (CDI) at the Edna Manley College of the Visual and Performing Arts (ENCVPA) in Kingston under a Memorandum of Understanding between the entities. The CDI is among several initiatives being pursued by TPDCo with view to growing the craft industry by providing artisans with...

Real Estate practitioners are being encouraged to keep current with their training, by Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Real Estate Board/The Commission of Strata Corporations, Sandra Watson Garrick. Speaking at a JIS ‘Think Tank’, recently, Mrs. Watson Garrick explained that in November 2013, it became mandatory for all real estate dealers and salesmen to comply with the Proceeds of...

The Management Institute for National Development (MIND) is inviting public-sector entities to take advantage of its suite of training programmes. MIND’S Chief Executive Officer, Dr. Ruby Brown, said there is need for ongoing upgrading of skills in the workplace. “When we get into a particular role within the public service, we would have gotten in based on the competencies we...

The Statistical Institute of Jamaica (STATIN) is preparing a National Strategy for the Development of Statistics (NSDS) for Jamaica, which will provide a more coordinated approach in producing and disseminating data. It will facilitate greater harmonisation among agencies that produce statistics, reducing duplication, and enabling the national statistical system to better respond to the increased demand for information. “We need...