A trained and certified workforce is covered in National Outcome #2: World-Class Education and Training, which directly states that Jamaica must have a well-educated, highly skilled, certified, and internationally competitive workforce by 2030. The HEART/NSTA Trust provides a range of opportunities for employers to help them better train and develop their workforce. Competence-based TVET can help your business become more competitive with employees who are not only trained but certified for the jobs they perform according to the standards you’d expect. Through improving the performance of your employees, you’ll be able to increase productivity.
Every employer contribution benefits a trainee. Employer contributions are critical to ensuring that Jamaica’s labour force is vibrant, dynamic, and equipped with the technical competence and skill necessary to drive business productivity and competitiveness. Continued compliance is not only an investment in your future business success but helps to provide training and job opportunities for thousands of Jamaicans.
What’s in it for your Company (Benefits)?
- A cost-effective, convenient and efficient way to recruit and onboarding qualified and work-ready staff.
- Access to a growing pool of certified and work-ready graduates to meet staff requirements
- A cost-effective and efficient way upskilling/equipped current staff with the leading-edge, in-demand skills and abilities
- Recovery 3% contributions through rebate policy, if your business onboard SLTOP Trainees
- Tailored and Industry led training programmes aligned to company needs and specifications.
What We Offer
Job Placement Services
HEART/NSTA Trust is committed to supporting Jamaica’s workforce by helping skilled individuals connect with employers across industries. Through our Job Placement Services, we make it easier for employers to connect with qualified jobseeker to meet staff recruitment requirements. Our Job Placement Services provide a comprehensive support system designed to ensure job seekers are fully prepared for the world of work and that employers relate to the right talent.
Get Started- Recruiting doesn’t have to be hard. Finding your next star employee starts here:
- Contact HEART/ NSTA Trust Parish Offices https://www.heart-nsta.org/locations/ to submit Firm Request or Sign up on our Job Portal by creating a firm account, post your vacancies, and connect with the right talent quickly.
- Service Delivery Standards:
- 90% job placement enquiries responded to within 2 workdays
- 90% of firm vacancies registered on the Job Portal processed within 70 workdays
- For support and feedback contact us at info@heart-nsta.org or (876) 99-HEART (+1 876 994 3278).
Entrepreneurship & Business Development Services
The HEART/NSTA Trust in its effort to support Jamaica’s economic growth and be nationally impactful, seeks to engage nano, micro, small and medium enterprises, including at-risk groups of entrepreneurs, in innovative ways, providing critical services, training and assistance to persons who are most in need of entrepreneurial upskilling and financial support/ grant funding. Entrepreneurs and businesses may access our MSME Support Programme which provide technical assistance, capacity building and grant of JMD $1,000,000.00.
Get Started-
- Each year application for the MSME Support Programme is open during the period May – June
- The eligibility criteria are:
- Registered with the Companies Office of Jamaica
- Tax compliant (Valid Tax Compliance Certificate), including the three per cent (3%)HEART contribution, where applicable
- Operate within one of the 9 priority sectors identified in Vision 2030 Jamaica
- Have a viable business plan
- Provide audited/unaudited financial statements for past calendar year
- Not be a subsidiary of another company
- Not earning in excess of J$15,000,000 annually
- Be in operation for at least one (1) year
- Submit your applications and supporting documents online at heart-nsta.org
- MSME Support Programme duration 24 months
- Service Delivery Standards:
- 90% MSME enquiries responded to within 2 workdays
- 90% of applications shortlisted within 36 workdays after the application closed date
- 90% of grants awarded to approved shortlisted candidates within 26 workdays
- 90% of grants disbursed within 106 workdays
- For support and feedback contact us at msmestartup@heart-nsta.org or info@heart-nsta.org or (876) 99-HEART (+1 876 994 3278).
Work-Based Learning
Work-Based Learning (WBL) programmes benefits employers by enhancing skills, knowledge, and capabilities among learners within their organization. Employers can tailor WBL programmes to their specific needs, addressing current skill shortages and developing a customized workforce. Additionally, WBL fosters a strong relationship between businesses and training institutions, creating a pipeline of skilled workers and promoting ongoing professional development. WBL programmes also provide employers with a low-risk approach to talent acquisition, allowing them to evaluate potential employees’ performance before making permanent hiring decisions. By investing in WBL, employers can improve employee retention, increase productivity, and enhance the overall competitiveness of their organizations. Click here for more information on the Work-Based Learning.
Get Started with:
Formal Apprenticeships Training
Registered Apprenticeship Programme (RAP)- trainee (the apprentice) acquires the skills for a trade or craft in a company/firm learning and working side by side with an experienced craftsperson, usually complemented by theory instruction off-the-job. The programme follows a pre-designed curriculum. Trainee, Employer, and HEART conclude a WBL agreement regulated under the HEART Act – Amendment 2019.
School Leavers’ Training Opportunities Programme (SLTOP) -Recent high school graduates are given the opportunity to develop a greater understanding of the working environment through placement in a firm.
- Access: Employers should submit firm request for a RAP or SLTOP Trainee by contacting the HEART/ NSTA Trust Parish Offices
- The eligibility criteria are:
- Registered with the Companies Office of Jamaica
- Tax compliant (Valid Tax Compliance Certificate), including the three per cent (3%)HEART contribution, where applicable
- Duration ranges from 1-4 years
- Trainee Stipend Support for RAP- $13,500- $16,500 per week
- Service Delivery Standards:
- 90% WBL enquiries responded to within 2 workdays
- 90% of firm request with applicants recommended within 7 workdays if suitable candidate match request needs
- 90% of WBL Contract registered within 5 workdays
- For support and feedback contact us at info@heart-nsta.org or (876) 99-HEART (+1 876 994 3278).
Workforce Training
Through this training modality, employers are engaged to enhance the levels of productivity of the workforce through upskilling or improving employee competence. Technical support is provided for evaluation of the levels of competence of employees and the establishment of pathways for training and certification to fill identified gaps. Workforce training are tailored to the needs of the entity. The training is coordinated by our parish operations, with Industry Liaison Officers (ILOs) meeting public and private companies and designing or recommending skills that meet their staff training gaps. They offer training in NVQ-Js, CVQs and Job Qualifications
- Access: Firm should submit request for Workforce Training by contacting the HEART/ NSTA Trust Parish Offices
- The eligibility criteria are:
- Registered with the Companies Office of Jamaica
- Tax compliant (Valid Tax Compliance Certificate), including the three per cent (3%)HEART contribution, where applicable
- Duration ranges from 1 week – 30 months
- Awards- Digital/ Printed- NVQ-J/CVQ Certificate, Job Certificate or Customised Certificate
- Service Delivery Standards:
- 90% Workforce Training enquiries responded to within 2 workdays
- 90% of Workforce Training for Job Certificate and Customised Certificate courses completed within 6-12 weeks
- 90% of Workforce Training for NVQ-J/CVQ Certificate Level 1 course completed within 10 months
- 90% of Workforce Training for NVQ-J/CVQ Certificate Level 2 course completed within 15 months
- 90% of Workforce Training for NVQ-J/CVQ Certificate Level 3 course completed within 18 months
- 90% of Workforce Training for NVQ-J/CVQ Certificate Level 4 course completed within 24 months
- 90% of Workforce Training for NVQ-J/CVQ Certificate Level 5 course completed within 30 months
- For support and feedback contact us at info@heart-nsta.org or (876) 99-HEART (+1 876 994 3278).
For support and feedback contact us at info@heart-nsta.org or (876) 99-HEART (+1 876 994 3278).
Product-Competency Standards
Competency Standards are industry-determined specifications of performance, which describe the skills, knowledge and attitudes required by a worker in the performance of a particular role in the workplace. A Competency Standard is made up of a unit title, elements, performance criteria, range statements containing evidence guide and key competencies.
A qualification is made up of a series of core and elective units of competence. An individual can be awarded National Vocational Qualification of Jamaica (NVQ-J) , Caribbean Vocational Qualification (CVQ) if all units within a qualification are successfully completed or Job Certificate
Through Occupational Standards you’ll:
- Get recognised!- Achieve recognition, progression and upward mobility
- Get better access-Improved access to training and qualifications you may previously have been unable to get
- Have your skills evaluated fairly- receive fair and just assessment and development opportunities because of independent criteria and open access to qualifications
Click Here for more information on Occupational Standards.
Certificate Validation
Certificate validation is the process of verifying the authenticity and integrity of a digital certificate.
Certificate with a certificate number printed on its face may be validated by following the steps:
- Enter the applicant’s last name and the certificate number.
- Click the “Validate” button to validate the information.
Click Here to validate certificates
