Persons attending technical and vocational institutes here will soon be trained and assessed for possible employment on the regional market, with the help of a Jamaican agency.{{more}}

The Heart Thrust Jamaica National Training Agency is a leading organization which assesses and certifies technical and vocational students in high schools, public and private organizations, as well as industries.

From March 16 to 27, a team of assessors is expected to be in St. Vincent and the Grenadines to certify a number of persons in technical and vocational fields.

Last week, a representative of the agency, Elvey Hamilton, met with officials of the Ministry of Education to discuss plans for the process.

At a press conference held on Wednesday, February 11, 2009, Hamilton along with Chief Education Officer Susan Dougan, Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Education Laura Browne, and Joylin Lampkin, a consultant related to the establishment of a sector skill development agency, discussed, among other issues, the upcoming assessment exercise.

According to Hamilton, more than 400 persons are preparing for assessment in over 18 vocational areas during the two-week period. She indicated that she had already met with some students and teachers with whom she discussed their concerns, and was scheduled to meet with persons who were interested in becoming assessors.