The HEART/NSTA Trust successfully hosted its TVET Research Symposium on March 12, 2025, at UWI Regional Headquarters.

Held under the theme “From Skills to Certification: Accelerating Quality Training and Recognition in Informal Apprenticeship”, the hybrid event brought together key stakeholders from academia, industry, and government to explore strategies for improving training standards and certification frameworks in informal apprenticeship programmes.

The symposium included research presentations that addressed key issues such as the informal apprenticeships and the strategies for quality training and certification of apprentices in the informal economy, interactive panel discussions and booth displays to include the Labour Market Information Portal which is a centralized digital repository where up to date information on labour market information is accessible.

The symposium’s keynote address was delivered by Professor Disraeli Hutten, Lecturer and Programme Coordinator at the University of the West Indies (UWI), Global Campus. Professor Hutton highlighted the crucial role of skills certification in fostering national development, economic mobility, and global competitiveness. He emphasized the relationship between TVET and apprenticeship and the role of HEART/NSTA Trust in supporting and improving the apprenticeship ecosystem.

“TVET and apprenticeships are interdependent, with each system strengthening the other. TVET provides the theoretical foundation and technical knowledge necessary for various professions, while apprenticeships offer practical, hands-on experience in real-world settings. He added that this combined approach equips individuals with comprehensive skillsets that are both academic and experiential. Without this connection there would be a gap between what is taught in educational institutions and the skills required by employers.”

Meanwhile, Dr Taneisha Ingleton, Managing Director of the HEART/NSTA Trust, in her welcome address underscored the organisation’s commitment to transforming the apprenticeship landscape. Ingleton expressed that hands-on experience gained through informal apprenticeships deserves formal acknowledgment and recognition.

“At the HEART/NSTA Trust, we firmly believe that TVET is more than an educational pathway; it is a transformative force for social and economic development. Throughout our discussions, we will examine how to bridge the gap between informal skills and formal certification, creating pathways that ensure these skills are recognized locally and globally. This symposium presents a vital opportunity for us to explore how Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) can help to build a workforce that is not only highly skilled but also inclusive and globally competitive. Our focus is on those who have acquired expertise through informal apprenticeship systems, individuals whose invaluable skills are often underappreciated or unrecognized in the formal sector,” she stated.

The event concluded with a call to action for policymakers, educators, and industry leaders to collaborate on developing comprehensive strategies that will strengthen informal apprenticeship programmes and accelerate national workforce development.

The HEART/National Service Training Agency (NSTA) Trust is a statutory organisation mandated to coordinate and facilitate the training and assessment of the Jamaican workforce to international standards. The organisation was established in 1982 by former Prime Minister the Right Honorable Edward Seaga and was restructured by the HEART Act in 1991.