The journey from the climes of Coleyville down into the cockpit country valley where Troy High School sits is scenic and memorable. Like many places in rural Jamaica, the roads leading to the school were narrow and rugged, bearing the scars of Hurricane Melissa. Regardless, reaching the campus on Wednesday, September 30, 2026, as the HEART/NSTA TVET School Tour made its second stop was well worth it.
On arrival through the main gate, visitors were flanked by beautifully manicured pine trees. The school’s vibrant aqua walls and pastel yellow trim stood out sharply against the landscape (which was surprisingly green). From the campus, one was struck by the vivid green hues of the rolling hills beneath the school’s expansive blue dome. On the concrete platform (a netball court) that served as the base for the day’s activities, booths were set up in a “U” shape for easy access from the parking lot and clear visibility from the main road.
The Energy
MC Tish brought the vibes with FYAH 105, keeping the energy high throughout the day. Troy High School students and staff supported the event, filling the space and boosting the energy. Other schools, like Westwood High School, Cedric Titus High School, and Troy Primary School, were also present to soak up the festivities and to be informed about TVET. The main programme highlights kept the crowd engaged with an empowering career talk, interactive products and services booths, and a live registration booth manned by staff from the parish offices, where attendees could take immediate steps toward their future. Students also completed the FunDoo Monopoly interactive game.
Reaching Communities
While delivering greetings, Director of Community Engagement Ronique Rhoden reminded the audience of the event’s core mission, noting that the “TVET tour is a pathway to a world of skills.” Troy High School Principal, Eddie Whyte, warmly welcomed the visiting groups and challenged the students to rethink their futures. “Welcome to a place where possibilities are still being discovered,” he said. He emphasised that the future will not only belong to those who can pass examinations, but to those who can think, analyse, and adapt. “Skills are a pathway to independence… ultimately, national development. Be committed to becoming capable. Ask the bigger question: what problem can I aim to solve? The career that changes your life may not be one that you have already imagined.”
That impact was felt instantly by those on the ground. Angela King,shared how eye-opening the day was for her: “Money inna skills. I can braid hair, housekeeping, clean but I didn’t know I could get certified on the spot. I really want to do nursing.” Armed with newfound knowledge, she added, “Now that I know, I plan to work at the school during the day and do some HEART classes in the evenings.”
Eugenia Williams, a janitor at Troy High School, already has her Level 1 Housekeeping certificate and wants to go further. “I would love to go all the way up to Level 5,” she said. “In the future I’d like to have my certificate in case I want to travel to different countries. I want to be certified.” Fellow janitor Winsome Small agreed. “I believe that when you have the skill, you need to get certified. Without your certification, I don’t think you’re going anywhere,” she said. “So, get certified, and I encourage everybody to get certified with HEART. It’s a good thing.”
Skills on Show
Trelawny, known for its industrious and hardworking people, has added to the allure of Jamaica on the world stage. Along with its yam production, the parish is the second highest producer of domestic crops, according to the Ministry of Agriculture. It was not surprising, then, that the team from the HEART/NSTA Trust’s flagship agricultural entity, the Ebony Park Academy, was on location to deliver the latest information on modern farming methods to curious students and other visitors to the booth.
Other teams from the Trust like the Falmouth Campus (Region 3), the Manchester and Trelawny Parish Offices, the MSME Apprenticeship & Entrepreneurship Support Unit, and the Boys’ Town Campus, were also present. Exciting local talent was also on display from the South Trelawny Edu-Skills training centre, highlighting their Cosmetology and Food and Beverage programmes, alongside Tiana’s Custom Closet and the 4-H Club of Troy High School.
Key partners present included the Ministry of Education, Skills, Youth and Information; the Ministry of Labour and Social Security; the Consumer Affairs Commission; the Ministry of Health and Wellness; and the National Council on Drug Abuse. From the private sector came JN Bank and Grace Mighty Malt, which is always a big hit with the students, who were bundling over each other to take a sip of the beverage served from a mini bar at the FunDoo and Grace Mighty Malt booth.
The TVET School tour will make it’s next stop at the Haile Selassie High School in Kingston.