HEART/NSTA Trust’s Skills on Demand mobile application, which seeks to provide short- to medium-term employment for skilled and certified professionals, was officially launched on Wednesday, eight months after it was first announced by Prime Minister Andrew Holness during his budget presentation.

The application, which is now available for download on Google Play and Apple’s App Store, can connect skilled professionals certified by HEART with potential employees and clients across the nation.

Managing director, HEART/NSTA Trust, Dr Tanisha Ingleton, who launched the app during Wednesday’s post-Cabinet media briefing at Jamaica House, said it represents a new chapter in Jamaica’s employment landscape.

“Today marks a significant milestone in our journey towards enhancing employment opportunities and empowering skilled professionals in Jamaica. This app is not just another platform; it is a game changer for Jamaica. It puts people at the centre, helping them to connect with work that matches their skills. Whether you are an electrician or a graphics designer, the app allows individuals to list their services and be discovered by employers and clients across the island. And the best part, all service providers on this platform will be certified by the HEART/NSTA Trust, ensuring that the skills being offered meet the highest standard,” she said.

Ingleton said the app is a major step towards building a more connected, a more dynamic, and a more digitally savvy workforce in Jamaica.

“It is a tool for empowerment, it is a tool for growth, and a tool for opportunity. If you have your skills, individuals can easily find you; and if it is that you want a service, you can easily find the qualified, the competent, the trusted individuals to offer that service. So we encourage everyone — whether you’re seeking employment or looking to expand your business — take full advantage of this platform,” said Ingleton.

She noted that HEART will assist people with practical, real world skills to gain official certification, “so you can join the app and start offering your services right away.

“This is not just about individuals getting jobs, it’s about accelerating the skills that we need for the future. The app will help people upskill, reskill, and stay ahead of the curve, offering opportunities for growth and professional development,” she said.

Ingleton noted that the app currently features 15 critical skills that are in demand. She pointed to, for example, an air condition technician where, “If you want someone to fix your A/C you need not be calling all over the place anymore to find out if this individual is capable, is competent, is qualified — you simply need to go on the app and find that air conditioning technician.”

She also mentioned cosmetologists, event planners, fashion designers, furniture makers, general construction workers, graphics designers, landscapers, masons, painters, pipe-fitting technicians, plumbers, early childhood teachers, electricians and welders who can be reached using the app.

“These areas do not only represent our current market demands but they also highlight where professionals should focus their efforts in accelerating their careers,” she said.

Ingleton, meanwhile, boasted that the app was developed entirely by HEART’s in-house team, which she said is not just an indication of the incredible talent the agency has, but its commitment to quality.

“The app itself reflects the standard of excellence that we are striving for — both within the trust and across Jamaica’s workforce,” she said.

In a video presentation, main developer of the app, HEART’s business intelligence analyst Collin Holness said the team spent three years developing and perfecting the app, which is “designed to assist our skilled professionals who have been certified by us at the highest level”.

“This application will not only provide assistance for employment but aids us in tracking their employment. This is truly a revolutionary app, designed to bridge the gap and connect the skilled professionals and their expected customers,” he said.