Community Colleges Producing Quality Graduates – G-G

Governor-General, His Excellency the Most Hon. Patrick Allen, says that community colleges are playing a key role in producing quality graduates for the job market.

Sir Patrick, who was delivering the keynote address at the Council of Community Colleges of Jamaica’s Annual Conference at the Hilton Rose Hall Hotel in St. James on January 6, said graduates of the institutions are gaining employment and contributing to economic development.

He cited an article written by former Executive Director of the Council of Community Colleges of Jamaica, Cebert Adamson, which states that “every dollar invested in community colleges eventually returns more to the economy in tax dollars and new opportunities.”

“I have to agree with him,” Sir Patrick said. “This is evident in the number of graduates, who are employed upon completion of their programmes of study; the number who are reportedly promoted on the job; and many who migrate to fill job opportunities overseas,” he said.

“It is observed…that workers often go to community colleges to retool for job improvement and to be more competitive in the current job market.  Others enrol to seek new job skills,” he noted further.

“In fact, growth areas like hospitality, tourism and entertainment, nursing, teacher education, business and information technology rely on community colleges to supply qualified workers to meet the growing needs and changes in the market,” the Governor- General said.

Noting the importance of Jamaican students to be skilled in science and technology, Sir Patrick said that the community colleges are suited to take on that role.

He however cautioned that despite the advances in communications technology and the opportunities they offer for employment and entrepreneurship, “our youngsters still have to be undergirded by strong morals and good attitude.”

“The values and lessons we teach, therefore, must indelibly impact their lives,” the Governor-General stressed. “Community colleges are well suited to transmit such imperatives,” he added.