Heart/NTA to Train Young People for ICT Industry

The Ministry of Education is partnering with the Business Process Industry Association of Jamaica (BPIAJ) to train more workers for the Information and Communications Technology (ICT) sector.

Portfolio Minister, Rev. the Hon. Ronald Thwaites, who made the announcement at a press briefing following a tour of call centre operations at the Montego Bay Free Zone on Friday, May 10, said the training will be conducted by the HEART/Trust NTA.

He said the aim is to provide the best trained personnel for the rapidly growing ICT sector. Government has provided US$20 million for the expansion of office space to serve the needs of the industry.

“There is going to be a working group involving the Business Processing Industry and HEART Trust, in order to make sure that the resources of HEART are utilised in ways that provide the kind of trained individuals that the industry needs,” Rev. Thwaites stated.

He called on the young people, who will benefit, to take the training seriously as they can make “good careers” in the ICT industry.

“If there was ever a reason to say to young people, ‘take your education seriously, figure out where you want to work, recognize the importance of computer-led education’ this would be the opportunity,” Rev. Thwaites stated.

Executive Director of HEART/NTA, Dr. Wayne Wesley, said the partnership with BPIAJ “is a demonstration of our commitment to ensure that our workforce is developed in a way that is consistent with international standards”.

“I am looking forward to working closer with the ICT industry to ensure that the workforce that is required is available,” Dr. Wesley stated.

Several of the sector leaders, who were on the tour, commended the Government for its responsiveness to the industry needs, in the areas of training and provision of space for expansion.

They are forecasting that more jobs are on the horizon for Jamaicans as the industry is positioned on a growth path.

The BPIAJ, launched last year, seeks to ensure the proper representation of operations in the Business Process Outsourcing (BPO)/ICT sector, and promote and enhance investment in an industry, which has become a major employer.

Contact: Garfield L. Angus