CMI Expands Logistics Training to Montego Bay

The Caribbean Maritime Institute (CMI) will extend its suite of courses to persons in western Jamaica this year as the Government continues to equip Jamaicans will the skills needed for the Global Logistics Hub Initiative.

Minister of Education, Hon. Rev. Ronald Thwaites, informed that the CMI has partnered with the Sam Sharpe Teachers’ College in Granville, St. James to offer training from that facility.

“The range of disciplines that are offered at CMI and which comprise the requirements of the logistics hub can’t be isolated to Kingston and therefore, I am very pleased that there should be an (opening) at Sam Sharpe for this collaboration,” Rev. Thwaites stated.

He was addressing a forum organised by the Logistics Task Force Sub-Committee on Education and Training, which was held today (Jan. 31), at the Courtleigh Hotel in New Kingston.

Executive Director, CMI, Fritz Pinnock, who spoke to JIS News, said that the institutions are formalising the partnership, which will involve joint course development, research, and programme delivery.

“It’s a great opportunity and my own (Transport, Works and Housing) Minister, Dr. the Hon. Omar Davies, has been (advocating) for us to make a greater contribution nationally,” he said.

Mr. Pinnock noted that while some of the programmes will be the same as those offered at the CMI’s Palisadoes Park campus in Kingston, others will be tailored to meet the needs of the resort area.

“Montego Bay, as a city, plays a central role in the development of this country. The Sangster International Airport and most of the tourism business reside in Montego Bay, and there is a thriving port there as well, and we look forward to this initiative,” he told JIS News.

Mr. Pinnock said that further issues will “be ironed out” for the seamless opening of the western branch.

Today’s forum sought to provide insight on the progress made in the training and education aspects of the Logistics Hub Initiative.