NAME OF FEATURE | THE GLEANER | SUNDAY, MAY 11, 2025 43 MMS 35TH ANNIVERSARY FEATURE courses that are demand-driven in support of corporate / professionals who are aware of the changes around them and see the need to upskill and retool themselves. Our programmes cater to an array of employees, from entry level under supervision to those who hold supervisory positions.” Pointing to global trends and the evolution of the labour market, Interim President for IWED Verica Bennett-Davidson said, “Skills and workforce development paradigms are shifting. Micro credentials in education may become more critical for workforce development. We may very well be looking at a future in which skills and skills credentials take precedence over some degrees.” This, she stressed, makes it even more imperative for training institutions to create “flexible learning opportunities, that require skills and workforce development systems to become more personalized and accessible,” allowing for different delivery /learning modalities such as remote, hybrid learning or on the go learning. The Interim President explained that to advance in their careers, it will be necessary for employees to “improve existing and even cultivate new sets of skills. This requires continuous learning throughout the employees’careers, with emphasis on placing a ‘skills-centred’ approach at the heart of the learning and development process. Transferable skills such as critical thinking, problem solving, and adaptability will become more resilient to changes in the job market.” It is also important for employers to become more involved in designing those training programmes that will produce the employees they need instead of constantly combing the marketplace to find them. Commenting on the importance of establishing partnerships for more effective training outcomes, Talent Development Coordinator at Caribbean Broilers (CB), Dannah Ennis says, the “CB Group identified that we have team members who are highly experienced in their job roles, however, we believe in growing together and empowering people. As such, establishing a partnership with IWED has helped to bridge the gap between awareness and competency. In bridging the gap team members’ competency can be more aligned to a qualification pathway, making them more marketable and more confident. A competent workforce helps with the growth and development of the industry, the Company and by extension, the country.” Feedback from team members, she further explains, “indicate that the training has helped them to execute their jobs with more confidence. The quality of their work has increased as well as their relationships with their supervisors and peers.” Career and Professional Development Consultant Octavia McIntosh holds the view that, “In today’s dynamic and fastpaced market, companies in Jamaica, particularly within sectors like Business Process Outsourcing (BPO) in which I’ve worked for over a decade, face critical skill gaps impacting recruitment and productivity. I have observed specific areas that traditional education often overlooks where training institutions like IWED can make a significant impact to better prepare young people for the workforce.” She identified, “Developing strong verbal communication and presentation skills; understanding how to leverage AI (artificial intelligence) for job searching and interviewing to enhance candidates’ marketability “in an increasingly digital recruitment landscape;” and personal branding, networking, and relationship-building techniques for career success:” The consultant said, “By focusing on these areas, institutions like IWED have an opportunity to bridge critical skill gaps. A collaborative approach between training providers and companies could further ensure that these programmes are aligned with industry needs, positioning young talent – and the Jamaican workforce as a whole – for sustainable success.” To maximise the training outcomes, Bennett-Davidson of IWED recognises the necessity for collaboration not only with employers but also with other training organisations. She said that some courses are delivered in partnership with reputable institutions including HEART NSTA/Trust, with which a recently signed Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) enables IWED to deliver training in several workforce development areas. The Institute also facilitates the Ministry of Education, Skills, Youth and Information’s Sixth Form Pathway Programme which is “designed to provide students [16-18] with the opportunity to pursue multiple avenues for certification.” The Prior Learning Assessment and Recognition (PLAR) programme “aimed at advancing workforce development,” which was recently launched by the Jamaica Tertiary Education Commission (J-TEC), is also a part of IWED’s offerings. The programme recognises and certifies “learning, skills and knowledge gained outside formal education and training systems, as well as [facilitates] further educational and professional opportunities for Jamaicans.” IWED has also signed an MOU with the Council of Community Colleges of Jamaica (CCCJ) to offer Occupational Associate Degree (OAD) programmes. From customised training programmes for clients, based on their needs to corporate short courses and seminars such as Strategic Planning for growth; Communication for Leaders and Change Management to Employability and Entrepreneurship skills; Supervisory Management for Cleaning and Sanitization Technicians, Business Administration to Housekeeping Operations and Supervision, IWED offers a slate of training courses that caters to the needs of both employers and employees. “Our aim,” says Bennett- Davidson “is to create win-win opportunities for both employers and employees by bridging the gap between education and the workplace.” This is endorsed by Quality Assurance coordinator at MMS, Carlene Patrick who is responsible for 24 client locations. For her, the exposure to Customer Care training at IWED, “opened new dimensions of customer care that are critical to my job. I thought I knew everything about the subject, but I was made more aware of the importance of the customer. The course prepared me to talk to clients and showed me how essential it is to keep the customers one already has, since they can also be a valuable resource in attracting new business.” For landscape designer Rayon Dwyer of Edenscape Designs, training at IWED enhanced his knowledge and increased his opportunity to establish a business. “With the increase in construction of so many residential and commercial structures, I believe there is a demand for beautiful landscapes and the three-months course in Landscape and Grounds has helped me to learn more about plants and how to treat them. I plan to pursue other courses with IWED.” What is clear is that the future of industry growth and development rests on a strong nexus between formal education and satisfying the needs of the workplace. In the article, Bridging the gap between education and employment …, posted online by MIT Open Learning, the writer notes, “If employers have a vested interest in the outcomes of training programs, students will be trained with the current needs of their industries in mind, and will be better prepared for the workforce upon graduation …”This is no doubt great advice! Interim President of IWED Verica Bennett-Davidson “Developing strong verbal communication and presentation skills; understanding how to leverage AI (artificial intelligence) for job searching and interviewing to enhance candidates’ marketability “in an increasingly digital recruitment landscape;” and personal branding, networking, and relationshipbuilding techniques for career success:”
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