JAMAICA: 23 Graduate from HEART-SDC offered course

#Kingston, July 23, 2021 – Twenty-three students have successfully completed the inaugural Events Planning and Management Level 3 Supervisory Course offered by the HEART/NSTA Trust and graduated with their skills certificates on Thursday (July 22).

The Level 3 Supervisory Course was offered out of a partnership between the HEART College of Hospitality Services (HCHS) and the Social Development Commission (SDC), to persons who had prior but limited event planning experience.

Under the partnership, the SDC provided an off-campus location for instruction while the HCHS implemented the course. Both entities jointly monitored the deliverables, guided by a Memorandum of Understanding.

“This programme today is by no means, an end to what we intend to do because as we seek to develop the human capital of Jamaica we will continue to partner with our very important partners as we continue to build this out,” said Managing Director of the HEART/NSTA Trust, Dr. Janet Dyer.

Dr. Dyer was addressing the Class of 2021 graduates from the Events Planning and Management Level 3 Supervisory Course at their graduation ceremony held on Thursday, July 22 at the SDC St. Catherine Complex.

Noting that some graduates had already secured employment, Dr. Dwyer reminded them of the value of their skills certification and encouraged the graduates to be the best they can be.

“Your commitment and investment in your own knowledge, skills and attitudes have put you on a road to succeed. For us at the HEART/NSTA Trust, we have made significant investments in the success that you have today and the certificate that you will receive. What we are looking for now is that recurring return on investment by taking the competence and certification from this memorable day, to add to the rest of your lives in securing the wellbeing of yourselves, your families and your communities. This partnership with the SDC is one of investment, one that we saw the potential in you and we invested in you,” encouraged Dr. Dyer.

For his part, Executive Director of the SDC, Dr. Dwayne Vernon said he is looking forward to more partnerships with the HEART/NSTA Trust and congratulated the graduates on the successful completion of the course.

“Let me thank all of those that contributed to this programme, we have made it successful. This represents perhaps the first major academic achievement for some of you. Certainly, this is a very proud moment for you graduates. You are now a little more qualified and what you have achieved can’t be taken from you,” added Dr. Vernon.

The seventeen (17) males and six (6) females who graduated make up the first cohort to benefit from the HCHS-SDC partnership since the course began in 2018. They covered a range of modules such as Team Jamaica; Communication; Presentation Skills; Operation Health & Safety Requirements; Project Management; Event Marketing; Meeting & Conference Planning; Human Resource; Applying Industry Knowledge; Complying with Legislation; and Event Media & Technology. They were also exposed to basic Spanish and Computer Technology.

The second cohort began their studies in February 2021.

Release: JIS

Contact: Charnele Henry