Manager takes advantage of free tuition at HEART/NSTA

Mr. Graham is the Station Manager at Menzies AJAS, which provides ramp, passenger and cargo handling services to several international airlines at Sangster International Airport in Montego Bay, St. James.

Underscoring the importance of lifelong learning, he told JIS News that he desired to improve his communication skills and business acumen.

In February 2024, he signed up for the human resource (HR) management course, but it was oversubscribed, so he opted to pursue a level-four course in business administration management.

“I’m very grateful. I could not have achieved that based on my current financial obligations and HEART provided that opportunity for me,” he shared, adding that he is married with three children.

During his contribution to the 2025/26 Budget Debate in the House of Representatives on March 20, Prime Minister, Dr. the Most Hon. Andrew Holness, advised that since 2020, 552,534 Jamaicans have been empowered through skills training.

Mr. Graham told JIS News that for some time he wanted to acquire more training but could not do so partly due to the lack of flexibility in the delivery of lessons.

“HEART allows us to do courses after work. The exams, you have to go in an institution to do, but for the actual class time, it is at a convenient time,” he said.

Mr. Graham lauded the HEART/NSTA Trust for keeping its courses in alignment with industry standards.

“HEART’s syllabus is more realistic and aligned with the real-life aspects of a working environment. For example, when I did business administration before, I did computer science, literature and sociology. HEART courses are straight to the point – what you need to learn to get into the working world and a little of everything that a manager should know in terms of budgeting, HR management, et cetera,” Mr. Graham explained.

He expressed gratitude to the Government for its decision to waive the fees, noting that “the cost of getting qualifications is extremely expensive and out of the reach of most persons right now”.

Mr. Graham is encouraging Jamaicans who want to become skilled or upskilled to choose the HEART/NSTA Trust.

“Take up that opportunity because you can’t be too old to learn. Education provides the knowledge base and the opportunity for you to view things from a different insight that would enable you to enhance yourself and improve on your quality output and enhance and improve your position in the workplace,” he said.