Coders From Amber HEART Academy Ready For ICT Industry

The first cadre of coders have graduated from the Amber HEART Academy, equipped with the skill to chart a career in the information and communications technology (ICT) industry.

These graduates of the pilot have matriculated to receive NCTVET Level Three Certification in Software Programming Operations and have been employed by the Amber Group, Digicel, and National Commercial Bank (NCB).

The Amber HEART Academy was officially launched on January 14, 2021. It is the brainchild of Founder and Chief Executive Officer of the Amber Group, Dushyant Savadia, and is a partnership with the HEART/NSTA Trust; the Housing, Opportunity, Production and Employment (HOPE) Programme, and the Art of Living Foundation.

The first batch of recruits were immersed in an intensive six-month programme taught by a team of highly qualified master coders from the Amber Group, followed by a six-month internship programme, where they developed software programmes alongside senior developers.

They gained extensive knowledge in technologies such as PHP, Javascript, API development, SQL and were able to develop practical consumer interfacing solutions, including a blood donation management system, bike rental application, a human resource (HR) management system, classroom management system as well as an e-commerce website, among others.

Graduate, Akeem Henry, said the 18-month transformational programme has changed the lives of the participants for the better.

“We are grateful for the rare opportunity we got, to gain knowledge and experience, success and failure, to grow in prestigious companies [such] as Digicel, NCB and Amber. We will take pride in being the first cohort of the distinguished Academy,” he said.

He commended the Amber Group, particularly its Founder, for conceptualising the programme, as well as all the other players who were integral to their success.

“Had it not been for Mr. Savadia, young people like us would have been missing out on a lot and not to forget all the confidence he gave us; it was amazing. During our sessions of undertaking the Art of Living exercise, Mr. Savadia taught us techniques to heighten our senses and to adjust our mindset, further helping us to focus on our goals which we had set out to accomplish,” he said.

Mr. Henry encouraged his fellow graduates to celebrate their accomplishment and to become an inspiration for others.

“Each of us has the potential to make an inspiring contribution to others by being true to our values and committing ourselves to our lofty goals,” he said.

For his part, Mr. Savadia said the graduates have been provided with the tools to transform their lives and tap into the lucrative technology sector.

“We have the blueprint right here. We are actively training and certifying our workforce to transition to higher value-added jobs. We have trained problem-solvers; therefore, the private and public sectors must utilise this new generation of skills to innovate, create and lead Jamaica with technology,” he said.

Mr. Savadia noted that the technology sector remains among the fastest developing sectors across the world, building out data analytics, artificial intelligence, machine learning, robotics, 3D printing and so much more, including aviation.

“So, if technology drives our everyday lives, why can’t we here in Jamaica build out the technology hub of the Caribbean and for the entire region? Why can’t we build our own Silicon Valley, say instead of JamRock, call it a ‘Jam Tech Rock’?,” he said.

He argued that current issues in the world will require greater reliance on technology to ensure consumers and businesses can interact, integrate and survive.

“Last year, I pointed out that the largest exporters of software are India, China, and countries in East Europe. That statistic has not changed. With a global market of US$507 billion, this is a tremendous opportunity to partake in this market, and Jamaica should not be left behind,” he said.

He emphasised that the technology should not be feared but instead used for a greater good.

“I urge Jamaicans to adopt technology because when you adopt technology… you allow more employment in this space, which is the fastest growing in the world. Oftentimes, technology is the catalyst for change. Let us use technology to propel Jamaica to the next frontier,” Mr. Savadia said.

Following the success of the pilot, Amber Group and the HEART/NSTA Trust have again partnered for the establishment of the Amber HEART Institute of Coding.

The Institute, which will be the Caribbean’s first dedicated to coding, will equip young people with in-demand technology skills. An initial 500 students are expected to begin training in software design and programming, starting October.

Meanwhile, Prime Minister, the Most Hon. Andrew Holness, said the partnership between the Amber Group and the HEART/NSTA Trust, represents innovative thinking in training and development, and aligns education to industry needs.

Congratulating the graduates, the Prime Minister said they will support the country’s vision to create a digital society.

“There is the need for the link between machine and function. Man needs to direct machines, and how we direct machines is through coding and that is the fourth industrial revolution,” he noted.

Chairman, HEART/NSTA Trust, Professor Alwin Wint, said HEART is committed to providing training that aligns with the needs and demand of the workforce.

“We are giving the commitment that HEART/NSTA is going to do all that it can to ensure that as the demand for skills bubbles up in the Jamaican economy… there is the supply of technical capacity to match that demand,” he said.

Professor Wint said the partnership represents a tremendous example of what can be achieved “when we partner effectively… and we build on the creative talent of the Jamaican people”.

Managing Director (Acting) HEART/NSTA Trust, Novelette Denton Prince, described the partnership as a match made in heaven, “with the ultimate outcome of strategically positioning Jamaica to become the hub of software development in the Caribbean”.

“This partnership created a revolution that will not only increase training and certification in software development, but also meet the demands of the industry, while simultaneously satisfying the quest of many Jamaicans in finding their niche in the IT (Information Technology) industry,” she said.

Ms. Denton Prince noted that the initiative has provided an excellent opportunity to tailor the Trust’s software development training programme to meet the demands of the workforce and leverage international talent for higher value IT skills.

“The decision to partner with Amber Group has, therefore, undoubtedly enhanced the capacity of HEART/NSTA Trust to upskill our youth and labour force, to meet the needs of this fast-emerging knowledge-based digital economy,” she said.