AVIATION TRAINING INSTITUTION COMING

Dr. Aloysius Tay Ban Hok (l) Trade Consul between Jamaica and Singapore (2nd from right) discusses aspects of the Training facility with Col. Oscar Derby, Deputy Director General, JCAA. Others looking on are Jodi Munn-Barrow (2nd from left), Policy Officer, Ministry of Transport and Works, Mrs. Jacqueline Fairclough, Director, Economic Regulation, JCAA and Mr. Nari Williams-Singh, Director, Flight Safety, JCAA.

Jamaica is in the process of entering into an agreement with the Air Transport Training College of Singapore to set up a similar Institution here in Jamaica.

Under this agreement, prospective students will be trained to become certified aircraft technicians. Upon completion of their training, these technicians would become available for employment in the local industry where such skills are short. There will also be the possibility of this institution being used as a ‘feeder’ for the global industry.

Associated with the creation of this Institution, Dr. Aloysius Tay Ban Hok, from the Association of Aerospace Industries in Singapore and Trade Consul between Jamaica and Singapore, was in the island recently. During discussions with representatives from the Jamaica Civil Aviation Authority, the Ministry of Transport and Works and other stakeholders, it was decided that prospective instructors from Jamaica would be identified to receive training in a ‘train the trainer’s’ programme at the Air Transport Training College in Singapore. On completion of their training, they would be expected to return to Jamaica to teach in the Institution being set up.

The training for the prospective instructors in Singapore is expected to start in January, 2009 and should last for approximately 8 weeks. Five persons to receive this training have already been identified.

In the interim, the Caribbean Maritime Institute (CMI) is being looked at to host the new Jamaican Institute until a more permanent location has been identified. Against this background, the CMI will be required to implement the requisite facilities to facilitate the expected training. Following this, the Jamaica Civil Aviation Authority (JCAA) is expected to issue their certification in respect of programmes, courses, facilities etc; first to the Air Transport Training College in Singapore, then to the CMI. The local training aspect in Jamaica is slated to commence in March, 2009.

The setting up of the Institution is an outcome of a visit by a Jamaican delegation to the Asian Airport Summit which was held in Singapore earlier this year.

Commenting on the initiative, Transport Minister Mike Henry says that this is a welcome addition to the menu of training and employment opportunities available to persons, particularly young people in Jamaica. He noted that this would also go a far way in enhancing Jamaica’s image as a provider of an exceptionally qualified labour force.