ST JAMES, Jamaica — After 50 years training educators, the Sam Sharpe Teachers College (SSTC) is branching out into business studies as well.

The institution marked the expansion with its inaugural Entrepreneurship Day on Wednesday, under the theme “Igniting the Entrepreneurial Spirit”.

“One of the things we’re trying to do is to increase the number of programmes that we offer here at the college, one being our recently started business studies,” explained SSTC Principal Dr Ricardo Bennett. “This Entrepreneurship Day is designed to expose students across the region to the scope of offerings in the business field.”

While SSTC has built its reputation on producing qualified educators for Jamaica’s classrooms, Bennett emphasised that this expansion represents the evolution of education itself.

“Teaching has evolved way beyond just exposing students to math, English, and the sciences. We have moved beyond STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) to include the arts, forming STEAM. We are showing persons that you can do so much more with a degree in teaching — you’re not limited to the classroom.”

Currently, SSTC offers a bachelor’s degree in business studies as a teaching programme, but Bennett highlighted its broader applications.

“It doesn’t limit scholars who complete this programme to the classroom. There’s a lot of knowledge to be garnered, particularly for those wanting to start a business. Coming out of a programme like this really equips any individual to venture out into the field of business,” Bennett said.

With tourism and the business process outsourcing (BPO) sector dominating the employment landscape in western Jamaica, Bennett noted that a business degree from SSTC serves as “a good ticket” for entry into these growing industries.

The business studies programme has reportedly been generating significant interest, particularly among prospective part-time students looking to enhance their entrepreneurial skills while maintaining their current commitments.