Female Security Officer Empowered Technically by HEART/NSTA Trust

Part of her job as a Security Officer is to escort persons who visit the organisation where she works, and for some time Ann-Marie Brown watched air-conditioning technicians service the system and became convinced that she could be one of them.

Despite being told that that type of work is for males, she kept looking and seeking answers as to where she could get the training.

The answer came via a social media post from the HEART/NSTA Trust, that they offer short programmes on Saturdays.

The next challenge was to work on Friday nights, and then to go for training, which lasted from morning to mid-afternoon.

“That was the most hectic part for me. You come from work, and you are tired but you still have to push through, and the females in the class, we bonded together, and we pushed through,” the mother of five children told JIS News in an interview.

Now a certified technician for air-conditioning systems, the soft-spoken Miss Brown said she is grateful to the other females, most of them mothers, who did the training, noting that they learned from each other.

“Whatever I didn’t know, I asked questions, and somebody was always able to tell me no, this is how you do it. It was quite encouraging, knowing that we had relationships among us where we could help each other through,” she told JIS News.

Ms. Brown said she also had to overcome a negative comment from someone close, who questioned why she wanted to get involved in that type of work. “I would tell the person I don’t know; I just feel like this is something I can do,” she added.

“I just pushed forward. Even on the exam day, the final exam day, that person still tried to get into my head and tried to deter me from my goal. But I pressed on,” Miss Brown shared, while thanking two male technicians whom she observed at her workplace servicing the systems and gave answers to her questioning.

She said even though she is yet to commence working in the field, “I do see where I can succeed in it”.

“I was very happy that those two months of training are over. I was tested and tried; I really pushed through, and I made it. And to see my certificate, it is a joy,” Ms. Brown said.

“I am really grateful to the two service technicians. I am really grateful that they took the time out to explain certain things to me, so that I could get a better understanding of what is happening in the AC technician world,” she added.

Ms. Brown said she would tell any female who is considering getting into any field at all to never let anybody tell her that she is incapable of doing anything.

“Try to push yourself. Try to be your own motivation. Try to press on in everything you do. Just put your best foot forward and try to do your best at all times,” she said.

“I like to prove people wrong, especially in a good way. There are too many negatives that women cannot do this, women cannot do that. It is necessary for us to elevate each other, to encourage each other to be our best, to strive for excellence in everything that we do,” Ms. Brown told JIS News.

For her part, Managing Director of the HEART/NSTA Trust, Dr. Taneisha Ingleton, told JIS News that Ms. Brown’s drive and determination pleased her.

“I am happy that she was inspired by just observing others, and so decided to take on HEART training for herself,” she said.

Dr. Ingleton explained that the training agency offers a variety of short courses aimed at “enhancing the skills and competencies” of individuals across multiple sectors, adding that the programmes are designed to be flexible, catering to both full-time and part-time participants, with duration ranging from one month to two years, depending on the specific course and the level of support required.

“So, it is very easy for an individual to get into a course at the HEART/NSTA Trust,” Dr. Ingleton said, noting that with some programmes, persons are rewarded with stipends to do the training.

The Managing Director said that the agency also offers the courses free of charge, as they have removed fees, and individuals are able to access training programmes at no cost up to the level of an associate degree.

“Once you are interested, and you make contact with us, we will tell you exactly how we can support you, how we can facilitate your dreams, your desires to move forward with your career or your skills,” Dr. Ingleton pointed out.

“Also, the programmes are organised for working adults, and in a multiplicity of areas, such as customer service, and that would be training on effective communication, problem-solving and handling customer interactions professionally,” she shared.

Training is also offered in micro-business management, to equip individuals with entrepreneurship skills for starting and managing small businesses.

“If it is that you would have had your own job in a particular space and you want to be trained to manage your business, we can facilitate that training for you,” Dr. Ingleton said, outlining that they also have on-the-job learning, which provides hands-on experience through industry-based apprenticeships.

There are professional development courses as well, and they are designed for career and workplace enhancement, and where a course that is necessary but it is not being offered, “we are going to design the course for you,” she said.

“We can tailor programmes for professionals with requisite qualifications or industry expertise,” Dr. Ingleton told JIS News.

“We can prepare you for your role in the various sectors to include agriculture, tourism, hospitality, manufacturing and logistics. We are here to support you. So, whatever it is that you need, reach out to us and we will definitely communicate with you and see how best we can help you to navigate your career,” the Managing Director said.

The HEART/NSTA Trust also offers training in fields like Robotics and Digital Welding, to ensure that individuals are equipped to meet the challenges of the future and contribute to both personal and national growth.

By aligning its work with Vision 2030, the Trust aims to meet the needs of the industries, ensuring that individuals are equipped to fill critical roles.

It also offers skills training for low-income women in various technical fields, including masonry, carpentry, electrical installation, painting, and joinery.

There is also a push to increase women’s participation in technical fields, particularly in information and communications technology (ICT), and Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM).