MONTEGO BAY, St James — With the signing of a memorandum of understanding (MOU) between Sandals Corporate University and the HEART/NSTA Trust to train 300 hotel workers over two years, executive chairman of Sandals Resorts International Adam Stewart has issued a call for greater private sector involvement in workforce development.

“I’d really like to signal to the private sector of Jamaica that this is something that is easily replicated. The 300 students we’re talking about here need to end up at 3,000 [moving to] 30,000 until we’ve trained everybody in Jamaica so that they have as many opportunities as possible,” Stewart said.

“I hope this goes extraordinarily well. I have no reason to believe it will be anything less than extraordinary,” he added.

Stewart was speaking Tuesday afternoon during the official signing of the agreement under which the initiative will be executed. The event was held at Sandals Montego Bay.

Chairman of HEART/NSTA Trust Professor Lloyd Waller described the partnership as a potential model for other small countries.

“I’m seeing these outcomes of this particular initiative as something that we can create, a kind of lessons learned, packaged and transferred to other smaller developing states as a model for how to build and transform tourism; lift the tourism sector through this kind of partnership,” said Waller.

In the meantime, Sandals Corporate University Senior Corporate Director Dr Luz Longsworth urged other tourism players as well as stakeholders from other sectors to embrace the initiative.

“While we are the pilot — we are the pioneers in this programme — it is one that we hope will [be] a model; not just for other members of the hospitality and tourism industry, but for other industries to see how this makes such a huge difference to how ready our young people are for work. Because they can only be ready if they have the access to the work,” said Longsworth.

“This is an immense step. We are excited about welcoming the first 150 and we know that this is going to be something that people will want to follow, and that we will see [it] become a true model and template for work experience moving forward,” added Longsworth.

For his part, chairman, Sandals Corporate University’s Advisory Board Wayne Cummings highlighted the vital role HEART plays in addressing labour shortages within the tourism sector.

He noted that while many workers enter the industry with limited education or experience, the partnership with Sandals Corporate University provides training, certification, and opportunities for personal growth.

Cummings pointed out that certification, particularly through the National Council on Technical and Vocational Education and Training (NCTVET), equips workers with valuable credentials that enhance their mobility and future prospects.

Meanwhile, managing director of HEART/NSTA Trust Dr Taneisha Ingleton explained that the MOU will see 300 young Jamaicans trained in key hospitality and construction skills, complemented by customer service, first aid, and mentorship. She stressed that the initiative goes beyond training, providing empowerment and upward mobility for participants.

“Graduates will hold global standard certifications, practical work experience and the confidence to build careers anywhere in the world. Together, we’re not just signing an MOU, we are signing a promise to Jamaica’s young people: a promise of opportunity, a promise of prosperity, a promise of empowerment and a promise of hope,” Ingleton said.