SLB Diversifying Loan Options for Alternative Education Pathways

The Students’ Loan Bureau (SLB) has announced plans to diversify its loan products to meet the needs of Jamaicans seeking new and flexible learning opportunities outside of traditional degree programmes.

The new product offerings are expected to expand financing options for Jamaicans, enabling access to a broader spectrum of studies—including professional certifications and emerging skill areas vital to national development.

Executive Director, Nickeisha Walsh, told JIS News that the agency is actively adapting to shifts in the contemporary education and employment landscape.

“We are exploring new products because we recognise that, in today’s society, persons may not want to be in the traditional institution for three to five years to earn a degree, they might want more easily accessible products. So we are looking into expanding into loans for short courses and certification, and looking at programmes aligned with national development and emerging job markets,” she said.

According to Ms. Walsh, technology-driven career pathways remain a central focus of the agency’s strategic direction.

“Technology is on the rise. Cybersecurity, data privacy, those kinds of certifications are not along the traditional line, and we want to be able to fund this next generation who want to pursue certain interests,” she indicated.

Ms. Walsh added that the SLB has already developed a strategic framework to facilitate the rollout of these new loan products.

“We are… ready to execute it, once we get the approvals in place to launch to the market. You can access our loans and pursue, whether it’s project management, whether it’s ACCA (Association of Chartered Certified Accountants), data privacy, data security, cyber security, those emerging jobs and emerging needs in today’s society… so we are doing that,” she said.

The Executive Director also shared a personal message of encouragement with parents and students, urging them to consider the SLB as a viable option for financing their educational goals.

“We want you to feel confident that it is the right choice. I can say this, because I am a beneficiary of the Students’ Loan Bureau,” she said.

Ms. Walsh added that her personal journey with the Bureau continues to drive the agency’s ongoing efforts toward improvement.

“My team is working on strategies to ensure that the experience for you is different and the access for you is very, very easy,” she stated.

The new SLB product offerings are expected to expand financing options for Jamaicans, enabling access to a broader spectrum of studies—including professional certifications and emerging skill areas vital to national development.