Institute for Workforce Education and Development Now Registered with the UCJ AND JTEC

The Institute for Workforce Education and Development (IWED) is now registered with the University Council of Jamaica (UCJ) and Jamaica Tertiary Education Commission (JTEC).

The institution was relaunched during a ceremony on Wednesday (November 30) at Manpower and Maintenance Services (MMS) Limited Group of Companies’ office on Eureka Crescent in Kingston, which is to be converted to the IWED’s headquarters.

Education and Youth Minister, Hon. Fayval Williams, who spoke at the ceremony, congratulated the entity for contributing to the creation of a skilled, competent workforce, particularly through its prior learning assessment and micro credentials programmes.

“These are indispensable tools to creating flexible learning so persons can enter and re-enter education at whatever point it is they want,” she said.

Mrs. Williams pointed out that “the Ministry of Education is here to support you in what you are doing, because we know that all that you are doing will be for the benefit of Jamaica and the development of our workforce”.

Chief Executive Officer, MMS Limited, Audrey Hinchcliffe, said IWED’s growth resulted from the demand for worker training and certification.

“The area that is exciting to us, that is developing, is the interest being shown by related institutions, businesses, and training associations who are seeking partnerships with IWED,” she indicated, noting that these include partnerships with local and overseas entities.

Additionally, plans are now under way to expand the IWED’s programmes to Montego Bay.

IWED, a subsidiary of MMS, provides technical and vocational training for workplace development.

It facilitates work-related skills training for employed persons, those seeking employment and education, and those requiring foundation courses to advance to a higher level of education and training for individual learners and corporate clients.

The courses offered include Landscape and Grounds Maintenance, Pest Control Management, Financial Management, Medical Office Administration, Food Handling Practices and Procedures, Occupational Health and Safety for Industry, and Health Aides.

It is registered with the Ministry of Education and Youth and is also a designated centre for the Sixth-Form Pathways Programme.

IWED is also a National Council on Technical and Vocational Education and Training (NCTVET) accredited training organisation.