A number of United Kingdom universities, training institutions and skills training schools will, in March, join local higher education institutions that are offering UK qualifications, to showcase the wide array of options in the UK.

The inaugural UK Higher Education and Skills Fair will take place at the Jamaica Pegasus in Kingston on March 3rd. The fair is being offered free of cost through the support of the Foreign Commonwealth Office’s Prosperity Fund, the “Great” Fund and the support of local corporate sponsors.

“It’s a wonderful opportunity for fifth and sixth form students, those who are planning post-graduate studies, or for working people to certify and upgrade their skills. They can explore the option of getting UK qualifications, from a variety of schools, in one place. They can choose to go to UK, study via distance learning programmes or achieve UK qualifications from partner schools here in Jamaica,” said High Commissioner to Jamaica and the Bahamas, David Fitton.

Some of the UK schools and training institutions participating in the exhibition include Northumbria University of Newcastle, Southampton Solent University, HB Consulting, Middlesex University, Star Definition and the University of Edinburgh.

They will join local institutions including: City & Guilds, B&B Institute of Business, Colboune College, International University of the Caribbean, the Association of Business Executives and College of Insurance and Professional Studies who will also be promoting their UK-certified courses and qualifications.

The fair will also have a business component, Head of UK Trade and Investment Charmaine Wright, explained. “We are also facilitating schools in Jamaica who wish to expand their offering to meet with the UK schools and for them to begin discussing partnerships. We see the fair as an opportunity to offer additional programmes but also to explore research opportunities and to discuss the sharing of resources between the UK and Jamaica,” she said.