MANDEVILLE, Manchester — With Information and Communications Technology being touted as a possible driver of the Jamaican economy, one related United States- based company is now on a quest to boost the teaching and learning process, as well as assisting prospective practitioners to become more marketable.

TestOut, which boasts of more than two decades of expertise and has been making an impact in North and South America, has extended its reach to Jamaica since last year.

Information technology expert and Jamaican national, Dervon McKellop, is the one-man team leading the charge in the island. He is now intent on forming solid collaborations with key industry stakeholders, such as the Ministry of Education and the Ministry of Science, Technology, Energy and Mining.

At a recent seminar at the Northern Caribbean University (NCU), TestOut in tandem with the NCU’s Department of Computer and Information Science sought to get their message across to a mixed audience dominated by students.

McKellop told the Jamaica Observer Central that the mode of training being promoted is the TestOut LabSim application, which encourages self and distance study, using cutting-edge technology.

He said the methodology is currently being used for training of staff at companies such as Google, the Unites States Department of Defence, and International Business Machines Corporation.

“LabSim is online IT-training courseware that combines lab simulations, videos, text lessons and exams to better prepare students for certification in the IT industry. LabSIM offers students an engaging learning experience at a lower cost, and offers IT educators a more flexible and time-saving solution for IT instruction,” said a TestOut publication.

McKellop said that although those interested in the programme can earn a certification within a minimum of 12 months by studying independently, for those enrolled in a university, community college, vocational or secondary institution that is an approved TestOut partner, the cost will be “heavily subsidised”.

“In the short-term — year and a half, two years — we are getting out the TestOut brand. Within five years we expect that it will be fully rolled out in all educational institutions,” he said.

McKellop said that more recently the University of Technology, has been signed as an authorised partner. He aims to get high schools on board, with the first two being Green Island High in Hanover and Mount Alvernia High in Montego

Bay.

“TestOut has a shared mission to improve students’ lives through the use of breakthrough technology,” he said, noting that all that is necessary to participate is a computer, or computer lab access and internet connection.

McKellop said that while TestOut’s work to improve information technology training and to make students more ready for the industry has started in Jamaica, his responsibility spans the Caribbean region.

Interim chair of the NCU’s Department of Computer and Information Sciences, Damion Mitchell, said that the institution formalised the partnership with TestOut a year and a half ago.

He described the relationship as a “win, win.”