The HEART/NSTA Trust is one of the critical pillars in Jamaica’s economic development and security
and must provide vocational, lifelong learning and employability skills that “pivot” the economy
towards productivity and higher value-added activities in critical sectors such as tourism,
construction, manufacturing and global services. This will be done through what is dubbed
“HEART’s Triple Access Strategy” which sets out three priority areas to focus the Organisation for
the period 2023-2027. The Priority areas are:

1. Enhancing the quality of training and certification towards improving Jamaica’s global
   ranking in the quality of technical vocational education and training (TVET) – (Global
   Competitiveness Index Report 2019 ranked Jamaica 36th of 141 countries for quality of
   vocational training)
2. Increasing services to youth at risk
3. Strengthening the TVET ecosystem (reach and participation)

As the Trust advances towards its achievement of priority one (1), a trained, certified and work
ready workforce will be provided to fuel Government’s priority sectors. The Trust will also increase
its leadership and advocacy in Technical Vocational Education and Training (TVET), strengthen
TVET research and innovation and fortify the integration of science, technology, engineering, arts
and mathematics (STEAM) into the curriculum. Other areas targeted for focus during the strategic
period include taking a lead role in the creation of a digitally literate society, prioritisation of lifelong
learning, strengthening graduate employability through soft skills development and programmes
including apprenticeship and utilising the emerging technologies and an equipped and proficient
workforce.

To read our Strategic Plan 2023 – 2027, click here.