JUNCTION, St Elizabeth — It was through the “ignited vision” of former Member of Parliament (MP) for South East St Elizabeth Derrick Rochester, that the Junction Trade Training Centre was established, in 1975.

According to the history of the vocational training facility, he saw that there was need for certified tradesmen in the heart of the agriculture belt, particularly with the emergence of bauxite mining activities in the area.

Reliving the journey in a video presentation, Rochester said that in the early years, people would have to sell a goat or cow in order to afford to send their children to Kingston to access training opportunities.

But with the birth of the institution, carpentry, plumbing, welding and auto mechanic were made readily available in the parish. Over the years, the variety of courses has grown, the number of trainees has increased and the institution has seen a few name changes.

The most recent one means it is now known as the HEART Trust/NTA Southwest TVET Institute-Derrick Rochester Campus. The change was initiated by the group Citizens United in Appreciation in honour of the man who started the “quiet revolution” in South East St Elizabeth.

The name change was unveiled to a large turn-out of citizens from the constituency he once represented on a People’s National Party (PNP) ticket, and others.

Rochester, in addressing the gathering, said that he believed that one of the contributing factors for the success of the institution is that decisions have not been politically motivated.

“Whereas I conceptualised the project, the planning and development committee worked just as hard. At no time was (there) any interference at this institution… along narrow party lines. I think that is why it is so successful. I am very pleased that this institution is serving the purpose for which it was built. I will continue to play my part,” he said.

Politicians on both sides of the fence — Richard Parchment, People’s National Party MP for South East St Elizabeth and former Jamaica Labour Party MP in the constituency Franklyn Witter — openly and boldly expressed desires to leave a legacy such as that of Rochester.

Witter lost the South East St Elizabeth seat to Parchment in the December 2011 poll.

“There can be no greater joy, no greater happiness than for a retired politician to be recognised for transformative leadership. ‘Daddy D’, I am standing on your shoulders to become the MP that (you were),” said Parchment.

Witter, on the other hand, said: “When I came into politics, I always admired Derrick; the way he served his constituency. I do believe (that the renaming) is most fitting. When he conceptualised this idea he did not sit and wait on the limited government resources. He went out and sought funding to ensure that it became a reality. South East St Elizabeth is one of the better areas in Jamaica because of (him) and the support he got from the community. I seek to emulate you, as I am not yet retired,” he said to applause from the audience.

Minister of Education Ronald Thwaites lauded Rochester for “quietly but effectively” making the point that “rural development is critical to Jamaica’s development”.

“The workforce nowadays is saying to us… if you don’t have a skill you won’t really be useful to your employers. Investors want to know if they will have skilled people to work for them. (A balance between) academic competence and skills appreciation is the way forward. It is a reproach when so many of our graduates have a difficulty in finding or creating employment,” he added.

Derrick Rochester served as MP in South East St Elizabeth for four terms: 1972-1980, 1989-1993, 1993-1997 and 1997-2002.

His political career also saw him being Councillor for the Junction Division, Parliamentary Secretary in the Ministry of Labour, Senator, Minister of State in the Ministry of Mining and Public Utilities, Chairman for the PNP’s Region Five, Minister of State in the Ministry of Agriculture and Mining, and Opposition Spokesman on Labour and Employment.

Rochester is currently the Chairman and Managing Director of Southern Fruits and Food Processors Limited, which he said employees HEART Trust trainees.

He was awarded the Order of Jamaica on National Heroes’ Day, last year.