ST JAMES, Jamaica — The Jamaica Centre for Tourism Innovation (JCTI), the training arm of the Ministry of Tourism, is on target to training 8000 tourism workers over the next five years.

Minister Edmund Bartlett made the disclosure yesterday at the JCTI’s graduation ceremony at the Montego Bay Convention Centre, where more than 300 individuals received certification in tourism related field, representing the second batch of graduates.

“Human capital development is strategic to our tourism growth agenda and that’s why the JCTI is targeted to train some 8,000 tourism workers in five years. This graduation puts us one step closer to achieving that target.0

“Our workers have a lot to do in determining the rate at which we grow by giving the best service there is at all times as it through their skillsets, professionalism and innovation we will be able to attract more visitors and increase earnings,” Bartlett was quoted as saying in a release from the ministry.

Of the over three hundred graduates, there are 14 certified hospitality educators; 9 certified hospitality instructors; 17 culinary tutors; 12 culinarians and pastry chefs; 20 bartender trainers and over 200 bartenders.

The JCTI was established to facilitate the development of professionals in the sector who themselves will set high standards as leaders and collectively raise the industry to the highest level that today’s discerning traveller demands. In April this year, there were over 150 graduates who gained AHLEI and NVQJ Certification, the ministry said.

As part of the JCTI’s efforts to extend training and certification to a younger cohort, the Hospitality and Tourism Management Programme (HTMP) was recently launched in collaboration with the Ministry of Education, Youth and Information. HTMP is the first of its kind certification programme for high schools developed by the American Hotel & Lodging Educational Institute (AHLEI) and will allow students to gain entry-level qualification in tourism as well as Associate Degrees in Customer Service and recognition by the local Customer Service Association.