120 new coders graduate from Amber HEART Academy

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Jamaica Observer

A total of 120 trainees from cohort five have graduated from the Amber HEART Academy, equipped with in-demand digital skills for employment in the technology sector.Delivered through a partnership between the Amber Group and the HEART/NSTA Trust, the graduates were trained in Web and Mobile Application Development.Minister of Education, Skills, Youth and Information, Senator Dr Dana Morris Dixon, commended the cohort, noting that their achievements signal Jamaica’s readiness for the digital future.“You are not waiting on the world to change you are going to use what you have learnt to change the world,” she told the graduates, adding that they are now “certified to speak the language of the digital economy.”The Minister was speaking at the graduation ceremony held at the HEART Eastern TVET Institute, Stony Hill Campus in St Andrew on April 29.Morris Dixon emphasised that the programme goes beyond certification, as it positions graduates to compete globally and solve real-world problems.The Minister further underscored that the Government is deliberately investing in young people to drive national development.“The people of Jamaica paid for you to get this opportunity and I don’t want you to forget that,” she said, while urging graduates to use their training to create value and give back to their communities.She also pointed to ongoing reforms within the HEART Trust, noting that new approaches such as expanded apprenticeships will better align training with employment opportunities.“So, another way we’re looking at this is through what we call Apprenticeship 3.0,” she said.The Minister explained that the model represents a shift in how training is delivered, with greater emphasis on industry involvement and practical experience.“This is somewhat a hybrid that we’re trying, where we have private sector very closely involved with HEART,” said Morris Dixon.For his part, Founder and Chief Executive Officer of the Amber Group, Ambassador Dushyant Savadia, underscored the transformational vision behind the initiative, recalling its rapid development through public-private partnership.He pointed out that the programme is already evolving to meet global shifts, including the integration of artificial intelligence (AI) training.“The skills that you have acquired of coding were absolutely essential for the foundation of what you need to learn now,” he said, while encouraging the graduates to pursue upcoming AI-focused training.Meanwhile, Managing Director of the HEART/NSTA Trust, Dr Taneisha Ingleton, highlighted the national importance of the programme, noting that the cohort’s achievement reflects both personal discipline and strategic workforce development.“Your achievement is not only personal but nationally relevant,” she said, pointing to global projections that millions of jobs will be created in artificial intelligence and emerging technologies.Ingleton added that the steady growth of the programme, from 27 graduates in its first cohort to 120 in cohort five, demonstrates the strength of sustained partnerships and alignment with national priorities.Of the graduates, 90 are members of the Jamaica Defence Force (JDF), reflecting the military’s growing investment in technological capacity.JDF Brigade Commander, Brigadier Mahatma Williams, described the milestone as critical to strengthening the JDF’s operational readiness in a digital era.“This is your transition from learning to application and from preparation to purpose,” he said, while committing the JDF’s continued support for the programme.He also praised the discipline and conduct of participants, noting that the initiative is helping to reshape perceptions of military personnel.The Amber HEART Academy Graduation Ceremony marks the culmination of intensive training designed to prepare Jamaicans for careers in technology as the country accelerates its transition to a digital and innovation-driven economy.