New graduates to chart new path in tourism
Published:Thursday | October 25, 2018 | 12:00 AMLatara Boodie/Lifestyle Writer
The Jamaica Centre of Tourism Innovation (JCTI) in association with the J. Wray & Nephew Academy (JWN) and the Heart Trust/NTA, recently staged their second celebration of graduates at the Montego Bay Convention Centre, Rose Hall. The graduation saw the matriculation of 300 certified bartenders from across the island.
Julia Morgan, certified JWN mixologist instructor at the Port Maria training centre, is excited to be part of this programme spearheaded by the Ministry of Tourism.
"We are a part of the training corp that is helping to facilitate the training of the 1,000 bartenders within the JWN and Heart Trust Initiative," said Morgan. The JCTI is also facilitating the training of other skill sets within the hospitality sector, which includes the certification of chefs and instructors.
The fairly new programme involves a 35-hour course for the bartenders, which also includes practical and theory exams. Based on the scores obtained, the student will then become eligible for certification.
"In 35 hours, we try to impress on them certain values such as honesty and becoming people persons. We try to make them understand that they are more than just a corner shop bartender and remove the stigma associated with being a bartender. They are trained to be professionals and to be able to cope in any situation," said Morgan.
"JWN Academy is a spirits-and-wines-management institution which focuses on giving persons the necessary skills to become professional bartenders. We are proud to partner with the Ministry of Tourism and their vision of creating a new workforce, which will aid in building the economy of Jamaica," said Sharmon Hinds, an instructor at the JWN Academy.
Annette Rankisson, a now-certified bartender from St Mary, plans on using her skills to better the products and services of her own business.
"The courses really helped to build my confidence, and I learned a lot from my instructors. Initially, there were challenges with learning how to make mixed drinks. I am used to mixing only hard liquor with a chaser, and this really challenged me to be more creative," explained Rankisson. She also plans to start frozen-drinks Fridays at her establishment in order to boost business.
"The certification programmes have been successful in pioneering a new path for tourism within the Caribbean," said Minister of Tourism Edmund Bartlett. "It is finally here as a reality, where the tourism sector finally has the means to certify professionals within its field," he said as he expounded on the hard work and dedication of the members within the ministry.
Bartlett beamed with pride as he encouraged the new graduates to use their new skills to make a name for themselves within the tourism industry using their certification that is recognised around the world.
Make your passion a profession with the Jamaica Centre of Tourism Innovation. Visit www.tpdco.org/jcti or emailcertificationprogramme-jcti@tef.gov.jm.