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JAM | Mar 25, 2023

Holness urges unattached youth to access training opportunities with removal of fees at HEART/NSTA Trust

/ Our Today

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Unattached youth have been urged by Prime Minister Andrew Holness, to take advantage of the removal of fees at the HEART/NSTA Trust and access training opportunities.

Effective from April 1, Jamaicans will no longer be required to pay tuition or administrative fees for HEART programmes up to level four, which is equivalent to an associate degree.

During the official launch of the Jamaica National Service Corps (JNSC) Residential Camps on Friday (March 24), the Prime Minister emphasised the importance of the removal of fees, stating that every Jamaican who wants to get training can now do so because HEART has a program for them.

Prime Minister Andrew Holness making his contribution to the 2023/24 Budget Debate in the House of Representatives. (Photo: JIS)

He noted that HEART/NSTA Trust is now a complete national service and training agency with a mandate to support industry while unlocking the human resource potential within vulnerable communities.

The JNSC is a program that targets unattached youngsters from marginalized communities and provides them with a period of skills training and personal and character development. Participants will receive exposure and engagement to develop their skills, gain new experiences, and transform their lives over a six-week period.

The ultimate intent of the program is to change the mindset and outlook on life of participants.

New recruits for the Jamaica National Service Corps (JNSC) at a recent passing out parade at Up Park Camp. (Photo: JIS)

Implemented in 2017 as part of the Government’s Housing, Opportunity, Production, and Employment Programme (HOPE), the JNSC is designed to provide continual development over a one-year service period, with the objective of developing a range of life skills and building sound character to make persons more versatile and better equipped for success in their chosen career path.

The prime minister concluded by noting that the JNSC is now the standard mode of enlistment for persons joining the Jamaica Defence Force (JDF) to serve as full-time soldiers, following the passage of the Defence (Amendment) Act in the House of Representatives in 2017.

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