The Jamaica Hotel and Tourist Association (JHTA) has established a Human Capital and Workforce Development Committee.

The committee brings together some of the country’s foremost leaders in tourism, education and workforce development to build a stronger, more resilient pipeline of talent for the nation’s fastest-growing industry.

The strategic initiative announced by JHTA President O’Brian Heron represents one of the association’s most significant investments in the long-term sustainability of Jamaica’s tourism sector.

At a time when billions of dollars are being invested in new tourism developments and thousands of additional hotel rooms are scheduled to come on stream, the committee will focus on ensuring the industry has the skilled, adaptable and future-ready workforce required to support this expansion.

The committee will be co-chaired by JHTA past presidents Dr. Omar Robinson and Clifton Reader.

According to Mr. Heron, Jamaica’s greatest competitive advantage has never been the beaches or buildings; it’s the people.

Heron noted that while tourism continues to be Jamaica’s largest foreign exchange earner and one of its largest employers, the industry is entering a pivotal period that demands greater collaboration between the private sector, educators and policymakers.

The Human Capital and Workforce Development Committee has been mandated to develop a comprehensive strategy that strengthens every stage of the tourism talent pipeline from secondary schools and technical institutions to universities, professional certification programmes and executive leadership development.

Among its priority areas are identifying critical workforce shortages across the tourism sector, strengthening partnerships with educational institutions, expanding industry certification opportunities, promoting foreign language development to support Jamaica’s increasingly diverse visitor markets as well as advancing hospitality and entertainment training through centres of excellence.

The committee will also examine opportunities to introduce HEART Level 2 certification pathways within secondary schools, helping students acquire industry-relevant skills earlier while creating a clearer pathway into tourism careers.

Recognising that the future workforce must be built through collaboration, the JHTA will work closely with the Ministry of Education, HEART/NSTA Trust, the Jamaica Centre of Tourism Innovation (JCTI) and tertiary institutions to create stronger connections between education and employment.

Heron said the committee’s first phase will focus on conducting a comprehensive assessment of workforce needs across the tourism industry while strengthening partnerships.