Thanks to the collaborative efforts of Food For the Poor, the Fergus Simpson Foundation, and Carpenters Union Local 27, a family that has faced challenges now has a comfortable place to call home. Situated in the community of Summerfield in Chapleton, Clarendon, the loft style structure has solar lighting and comprises two bedrooms, a living area, kitchenette with solid sink...

Since assuming his role as Chief Executive Officer (CEO) for the Registrar General’s Department (RGD) in February 2020, Charlton McFarlane has been on a mission to make the agency “Digitally Bold”. He tells JIS News that shortly after taking up the post, “The COVID-19 pandemic came and I realised that unless we transition to digital services and take a digital...

Callel Thomas, a resident of Stanton Housing Scheme in Spring Garden, St. Thomas, on Tuesday (August 8), received the keys to her new single unit home, which was constructed by trainees of the Human Employment and Resource Training/National Service Training Agency (HEART/NSTA) Trust. Ms. Thomas, who lost her house in a fire, recalled that in the aftermath she cried, but...

Having overcome the challenges of poverty and now travelling the world as a Junior Executive Chef aboard a cruise ship, Javann Riley is inspiring young people to become certified in a technical or vocational skill to improve their job prospects. The 25-year-old, who received level-three certification in Commercial Food Preparation (Chef de partie) at the HEART/NSTA Trust’s Boys Town Vocational...

Did you know that under the Protected Disclosures Act, 2011, all government entities should appoint at least one person as a Designated Officer with responsibility for receiving and investigating disclosures or improper conduct in the workplace? The Designated Officer would also have the responsibility to give an update of the progress of the investigation and findings to the employee who...

Career development officer at the Human Employment and Resource Training Trust/National Training Agency (HEART NSTA/Trust), Dr. Howard Harvey, says the agency is playing a key role in improving the life chances of young people. “As a practitioner in the HEART/NSTA Trust for over 27 years, I have seen literal change, transformation in young people. Where I am at the LEAP...

Jamaicans are welcoming the removal of tuition and administrative fees for HEART/NSTA Trust programmes up to level four. The decision, which is effective April 1, will allow for access to vocational training for all persons regardless of their economic status. Waiving the fees is in keeping with the Government’s mandate to increase the provision of trained labour for industry. In...

As the St. Thomas segment of the Southern Coastal Highway Improvement Project (SCHIP) moves into the final stages, residents are excited about the prospects it will bring for the long-awaited transformation of the parish. They are hopeful that the road project will create opportunities for new business and new jobs, and open up areas for development. JIS News toured sections...

Persons, particularly the elderly, who have never received a birth certificate can still request one from the Registrar General's Department (RGD), through its Late Registration process. While every birth that occurs in Jamaica must be registered with the RGD, there was a period in which children were being registered, but not named at the time of birth. For those children...