KINGSTON, Jamaica — More than 8,000 miles from home, Chrision McPherson and Shamar Brown are honing their hospitality skills while gaining firsthand exposure to a new culture.

The HEART College of Hospitality Services trainees are among four Jamaicans currently participating in the 2026 Global Skills Academy (GSA) POCY Group Scholarships Programme in Hebei, People’s Republic of China.

The 90-day, fully funded international skills training programme, delivered through a partnership between the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) Global Skills Academy and China POCY Group, commenced on June 27 and will conclude on September 28.

For the HEART College, the scholarship programme marks a significant milestone.

Director/Principal Dr Janet Dyer said the trainees were nominated based on their commitment to excellence and the potential they have demonstrated through their work and training.

They were formally endorsed by the UNESCO Vocational Education (UNEVOC) Centre in Jamaica and subsequently selected through a competitive process that attracted candidates from Africa, Latin America and the Caribbean.

“Chrision has been an intern with us at our front desk…so she has experience as a guest service agent. She is also our reigning gold medal winner for our front desk operation in WorldSkills. She works with us at the front desk at the Cardiff Hotel and Spa in Runaway Bay, St Ann. I’m looking forward to integrating her into the training process. She’s coming back with some level of conversational Mandarin. I heard her online introducing herself and literally speaking to a group of persons in Mandarin… so I know that learning is taking place,” Dr Dyer said.

She added that the college holds high expectations for Brown, whom she describes as a well-rounded trainee with the potential to return and serve as a hospitality lab technician.

Dr Dyer noted that this marks the first time the college has had trainees participating in a training programme in China and expressed hope that many more students will have the opportunity to benefit from similar international experiences in the future.

For McPherson, earning the scholarship was a defining moment for her.

“I was genuinely overwhelmed with gratitude and excitement. Being selected as one of only four scholarship recipients was both humbling and affirming. It reminded me that hard work, perseverance and faith truly pay off. I saw it as a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to grow academically, professionally and personally while representing Jamaica on an international stage,” she said.

McPherson indicated that she is eager to strengthen her technical knowledge, gain hands-on experience and develop a deeper understanding of emerging technologies and industry best practices.

Beyond the technical training, she also wants to strengthen her problem-solving skills, enhance her ability to work effectively in teams and improve her intercultural communication and adaptability. She further looks forward to learning from experienced industry professionals and fellow scholars from diverse cultural and professional backgrounds around the world.

“I am most excited about experiencing China’s culture firsthand while learning at one of the world’s leading centres for innovation and technology. I look forward to visiting companies and industrial sites, interacting with local communities, improving my understanding of Chinese culture and language, and seeing how technological advancements are applied in everyday life,” McPherson stated.

Upon her return to Jamaica, she intends to apply the knowledge and practical skills gained through the programme to drive greater efficiency, innovation and service excellence within the hospitality and tourism sector.

Meanwhile, Brown recalled feeling incredibly excited, grateful and humbled when he learned that he had been selected for the scholarship.

“Being selected from a highly competitive pool of applicants across Africa, Latin America and the Caribbean was an honour and a proud moment for me,” he shared.

Brown said he is eager to develop practical expertise in modern hotel operations, customer service excellence, hospitality technology, and sustainable tourism practices.

“I also look forward to learning about China’s innovative approaches to hospitality management, teamwork, leadership and problem-solving. These skills will strengthen my ability to deliver exceptional guest experiences and prepare me for future leadership roles within the industry,” he said.

Upon returning to Jamaica, Brown plans to apply the knowledge and hands-on experience gained to enhance service quality and drive innovation within the hospitality and tourism industry.

He added that his commitment to sharing knowledge will begin at the Cardiff Hotel and Spa, where his passion for hospitality first took root.

“In the long term, I aspire to take on leadership roles where I can mentor others, promote excellence in hospitality and help strengthen Jamaica’s reputation as a world class tourism destination,” Brown declared.

— JIS