Growth & Jobs | HEART graduates contributing significantly to Jamaica’s growth, development

THOUSANDS OF Jamaicans continue to be trained by HEART/NSTA Trust and are contributing their skills to Jamaica’s growth and development through critical sectors such as manufacturing.

Among the beneficiaries are three young men – Devin Jones, Byron Powell, and Lincoln McFarlane – who are employed at Pepsi-Cola Jamaica.

Powell, who is certified in mechanical maintenance, cites attending HEART as one of his best life decisions.

“The HEART Trust programme is something that I don’t have any regrets of going to or doing my course there. This has helped me a lot, and it is also helping me to move forward in life. Going to HEART has also given me the opportunity to work at this wonderful company, Pepsi, as a line operator,” the 25-year-old declared.

Powell, who hails from St Elizabeth, said that he was introduced to the mechanical maintenance programme while attending high school.

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“I went to the St Elizabeth Technical High School [where] I got introduced. I did a Level One in it in high school, then I developed a passion for mechanical maintenance and the whole aspect of it… [and] I wanted to continue. So, I did a Level Three diploma in mechanical maintenance at the National Tools and Engineering Institute (NTEI),” he shared.

Powell said hands-on training that he received has enabled him to work in various industries within the manufacturing sector.

“Since I got my Level Three diploma from HEART Trust, I worked at HEART manufacturing as a machine operator, and I worked at TankWeld Metals as an electrician/mechanical technician. I’m here now as a line operator at Pepsi [where] I operate the blue moulding machine, which blows the bottles along the line for production,” he informed.

Jones encouraged Jamaicans to enrol in the programmes offered by HEART and become certified in an area they are passionate about.

“I would encourage anybody not just to leave high school and sit down; try to further your education. Try to get something or that extra step forward in order to let yourself be marketable, so that you can be exposed to other technologies that are out there, and also to get a job and further your studies,” the St Andrew Technical High School alumnus shared.

The 36-year-old, who is also certified in mechanical maintenance, recounted that he was extensively exposed to machinery through the mechanical maintenance programme at the NTEI.

He said that these included the drill press and milling machine, adding that he learnt how to do basic operations on these machines.

“It has opened my eyes [as] to what to expect in the industry, and actually gave me the head start in order to get a job; working at Pepsi, the experience has been good so far. We are in a Third-World country and, so far, based on my exposure to this company, we are basically exposed to First-World technology. I enjoy working here because of the learning process that it gives to me. So even if I should leave here, I’m well rounded in terms of the technology that I am exposed to,” Jones said.

McFarlane said that attending HEART was a memorable experience.

“It has helped me to go out into the working world very skilled and rounded. I ventured into electrical maintenance, industrial electronics and electronics maintenance. It was a first step into the working world being at HEART, and I would encourage every person or every youngster, both male and female [to enrol]. You will leave with a skill. You can go into the working world, and you can apply yourself,” the 32-year-old shared.

The Calabar High School past student said he was introduced to the HEART programme by one of his former teachers.

Pepsi-Cola Jamaica recently opened a new US$30-million state-of-the-art production line.

The new facility has created additional jobs, representing an approximately 20 per cent increase in the entity’s workforce.

Addressing the opening, Prime Minister Andrew Holness said the jobs are not just statistics, noting that they also represent lives and livelihoods.

“They represent dreams and aspirations fulfilled. They represent economic independence. They represent social mobility. They represent human capital and skills,” he stated.

Holness further informed that the new facility would increase Pepsi’s production capacity by 60 per cent.

“There is no doubt that this is a game changer, and I am sure that competitors are looking on and saying, ‘We need to make similar investments’; and that’s just good news for me,” he stated.

Holness, who is also the minister of economic growth and job creation, said the manufacturing sector plays a pivotal role in Jamaica’s economy.

He cited it among the industries that are key to creating jobs, boosting the economy, and improving the lives of Jamaicans.

“Manufacturing is the largest industry among the goods-producing sector and the sixth-largest industry overall, accounting for nine per cent of total GDP (gross domestic product),” the prime minister stated.

He indicated that manufacturing, like the general economy, has recovered from the impact of COVID-19, with output in 2022 being 3.5 per cent above pre-pandemic levels in 2019.

“The manufacturing industry grew by 6.3 per cent in 2022 and contributed 0.6 per cent of the 5.2 per cent GDP growth recorded in 2022. Manufacturing exports have grown significantly over the last five years, from about 30.8 per cent of total exports in 2018 to 70.3 per cent of total exports in 2022, making manufacturing the single largest goods-producing export industry. The foods, beverages and tobacco sector has been a major contributor to this growth, accounting for 25.3 per cent of total exports in 2022, up from 13.5 per cent in 2018,” the prime minister informed.

Holness reiterated the Government’s commitment to supporting the sector, pointing out that Pepsi -Cola Jamaica’s expansion will contribute to further improvements in manufacturing.

“Keep investing, keep growing, keep employing, keep dreaming big. The dream of prosperity is being fulfilled daily by the actions of entrepreneurs, businesspeople and our workers,” he said.

Holness further commended Pepsi for the established partnerships with HEART and Caribbean Maritime University.

“This approach is a shining example of how the public and private sectors can and should work together to strengthen our workforce and drive our nation’s development. This is a win-win scenario for all involved, including the potential to recruit new persons into our labour force,” he added.

Since April 1, Jamaicans are no longer required to pay tuition or administrative fees for HEART programmes up to Level Four (associate degree).

Waiving the fees is in keeping with the Government’s mandate to increase the provision of trained labour for industry and will allow for access to vocational training for all persons, regardless of their economic status.

As at November 2023, HEART had achieved enrolment of 119,641, and total certification of 46,403.

Persons interested in any of the training programmes offered by the HEART/NSTA Trust may call (876) 994-3278, or visit www.heart-nsta.org for more information.