Look to Aeronautical and Maritime Fields – Henry

Minister of Transport and Works, Hon. Michael Henry, is encouraging young people to consider careers in the aeronautical and maritime fields, noting that these areas offer high remuneration.
“These two industries are high-earning industries. They are industries that will have a greater spinoff,” he said, noting the potential for development and employment creation.
Minister Henry was speaking on Friday (March 19) at the official launch of the Caribbean Aerospace College and graduation exercise for the flight dispatcher course, at the institution’s auditorium at 1 Dumfries Road in Kingston.

Director of Flight Safety at the Jamaica Civil Aviation Authority (JCAA), Nari Williams (right), presents a diploma to Caribbean Aerospace College graduate, Andrew Irons, during the graduation ceremony for participants in the flight dispatchers course. The ceremony was held on March 19 at the institution’s premises, 1 Dumfries Road, Kingston. In the background is President of the College, Jamie Chang.

He commended the five graduates, who have completed the 300 hours required for certification, and encouraged them to continue to strive for excellence wherever they go in the world. “What you show as the product of the college enhances the earnings of the college, enhances your own reputation and then moves us forward,” he stated.
A flight dispatcher is responsible for planning and monitoring the progress of an aircraft’s journey.
The Minister advised dispatchers, who do not have the requisite certification, to take advantage of the training offered, noting that the course has been tailored to make it accessible to persons, who are already working in the field, but are not licensed.
College Director, Ms. Melanie Quinton, informed that all five graduates have been awarded internship with Jamaica Air shuttle Limited, adding that upon graduation they are required to fulfill 90 hours of internship work.

Director of Flight Safety at the Jamaica Civil Aviation Authority (JCAA), Nari Williams (right), presents a diploma to Caribbean Aerospace College graduate, Shellie-Ann Anderson (left), during the graduation ceremony for participants in the flight dispatchers course. The ceremony was held on March 19 at the institution’s premises, 1 Dumfries Road, Kingston.

She boasted that the course “is the first course of this type to be offered in Jamaica and the Caribbean region.”
Graduate, Milton Clarke, stated that the experience has been “tremendous,” adding that “we will be soaring into the future with certainty from here on.”
Caribbean Aerospace College is the brainchild of Leslie and Jamie Chang of local construction firm, Surrey Paving and Aggregate, and evolved out of a visit to Singapore by a Jamaican delegation headed by Minister Henry just over a year ago for the Asian Airport Summit. During the visit, the Jamaicans engaged their Asian counterparts in discussions regarding the development of Vernamfield.
The college, which began operations in October 2009, offers a diploma in airport management, specialist diploma in flight dispatch, and an associate degree in aircraft maintenance engineering.
It operates as a satellite school of the Singapore Air Transport Training College (ATTC), which is the training arm of the Singapore Institute of Aerospace Engineers (SIAE). The curriculum has been approved by the Jamaica Civil Aviation Authority (JCAA).