In order for Jamaica to achieve Vision 2030—the localised adaptation of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals—one of the critical ingredients is developing a thriving workplace environment.

This was an agreed-upon stance for the 250 delegates gathered at the recent Human Resource Management Association of Jamaica HRMAJ 44^th annual leadership conference who believe that developing a thriving workplace contributes to employees achieving their fullest potential as well as securing a just and cohesive society.

The HR professionals and people managers at the conference agreed, too, that they had a significant role to play in Jamaica realising its goals under Vision 2030.

The conference, held on November 14 and 15 at the AC Marriott Hotel in New Kingston, St Andrew, focused on helping leaders and human resource management practitioners to better understand that their contribution is critical to organisational and national development. The two-day conference was held under the theme ‘HR Revolution: Navigating The Future…2030 and Beyond’.

Among the key topics covered were the transformative role of artificial intelligence (AI); diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI); work-life integration; workplace flexibility, as well as human-centric and adaptive leadership in navigating current and future complexities of a rapidly evolving workforce.

Attendees benefitted from future-focused discussions on emerging human resource trends and practices, expected challenges, strategies and opportunities to review real-world examples and success stories from local and international organisations.

“HRMAJ is committed to elevating the ‘people profession’, which has expanded beyond what we typically once knew as the HR functions.  With other roles emerging in preparation for the future workplace, which has been changing in definition, the significance of upskilling and reskilling in the field in preparation for the role and impact of AI provides opportunities to transition administrative functions and areas such as culture, engagement and human-centric leadership at the forefront of all organisations,” HRMAJ President Dr Cassida Jones Johnson, an independent executive consultant with over 20 years’ experience in strategic human resource, talent management, people engagement and executive coaching, stated.

“In fact, our 44^th conference has raised the anchor for navigating the seas ahead, with opportunities to collaborate with other associations across the region and in developed countries,” she added.

Conference Chair Dr Lois Parkes, leadership development institutional specialist for the Caribbean Centre for Development Administration noted: “Conference 44 was a huge success, as it created the platform for deep discussions on critical human resource and leadership policy challenges affecting both the private and public sectors. Going forward, HRMAJ will continue to provide an avenue for further dialogue, policy guidance and capacity building to empower work organisations to address these challenges head-on.”

To encourage work-life balance, the delegates were treated to representations of Jamaica’s rich cultural heritage of film and comedy through the showing of the six winning films of the Jamaica Cultural Development Commission (JCDC) Short Film Competition 2024, the Laugh Lab and open mic with comedians Elias Fennell and Christopher ‘Johnny’ Daley.  There was also a wellness component by fitness advocate Shani McGraham-Shirley who conducted exercise sessions.

The conference was supported by sponsors including Caribbeanjobs.com, Securys (Jamaica) Limited, HEART/NSTA Trust, Management Institute for National Development (MIND), among others.

At the conference were exhibitors such as Dale Carnegie Training Jamaica Stock Exchange e-Campus, Bioregeneration Integrated Medical Centre, Allied Insurance Brokers and GK Mutual Funds, Mona School of Business, and University of Technology, Jamaica.

Through advocacy, policy guidance and world-class training in many areas of human resource and leadership HRMAJ remains committed to promoting organisational growth, enhancing human capital development and increasing workforce productivity.  It is also focused on building capacity, competencies and credibility for people professionals and emerging leaders.