HEART/NSTA Trust Continuing Strengthening of Vocational Training in 2025/26
By: , March 31, 2025
Photo: Mark Bell
Managing Director, HEART/NSTA Trust, Dr. Taneisha Ingleton (left), shares a high five with Learning and Investment for Transformation (LIFT) programme participant, Olivia Reid (right), at the agency’s Corporate Office on Oxford Road in Kingston. Sharing the moment is LIFT participant, Justin McCarthy.The Full Story
During fiscal year 2025/26, HEART/NSTA Trust will continue to execute its mandate to provide vocational, lifelong learning and employability skills that pivot the economy towards increased productivity and higher value-added activities in critical sectors.
This will be undertaken through HEART’s ‘Triple Access Strategy’, which outlines three priority areas on which focus will be placed.
These include enhancing the quality of training and certification towards improving Jamaica’s global ranking in the quality of technical and vocational education and training (TVET); increasing services to at-risk youth; and enhancing the TVET ecosystem by implementing strategies to expand the programme’s reach and increase participation.
Details of the undertaking are contained in the 2025/26 Public Bodies Estimates of Revenue and Expenditure for the Year ending March 2026, tabled recently in the House of Representatives by Minister of Finance and the Public Service, Hon. Fayval Williams.
The targets for these priority areas will be met through the enrolment of 84,567 trainees in various programmes, with 48,337 expected to achieve certification during fiscal year 2025/26.
“Training will be delivered across HEART’s network of 26 wholly operated institutions, partnerships with over 75 community training interventions, enterprise and work-based training interventions and adult education sites,” the document outlined.
Additionally, continued opportunities will be sought to partner with other agencies providing programmes and services for at-risk youth.
“One such programme is the Citizen Security Programme, aimed at improving security in communities. Other planned/continuing activities include the Learning and Investment for Transformation (LIFT) Programme, as well as the Community Action for Rewarding Engagement Programme,” the document further stated.
HEART will also continue to contribute funding for programmes administered by the Ministry of Education, Skills, Youth and Information.
The budgeted allocation of $800 million will support college credits for students under the Sixth Form Pathways Programme, TVET integration in schools as well as other Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) initiatives.