JHTA launches Human Capital and Workforce Development Committee to shape the future of Jamaica’s Tourism Industry

 Recognising that the future success of Jamaica’s tourism industry will depend as much on its people as its product, the Jamaica Hotel and Tourist Association (JHTA) has established a Human Capital and Workforce Development Committee, bringing 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 A. 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 unprecedented expansion.

The Committee will be co-chaired by JHTA Past President Dr. Omar Robinson and JHTA Past President Clifton Reader, two respected industry leaders whose combined experience in hospitality operations, workforce management and tourism leadership positions them to guide one of the sector’s most ambitious human capital initiatives.

“Our greatest competitive advantage has never been our beaches or our buildings. It has always been our people,” said President Heron.  “Every memorable visitor experience begins with a Jamaican whose passion, professionalism and warmth define our destination. As our industry continues to grow, we have an equally important responsibility to ensure that our people grow with it. This Committee represents a strategic investment in Jamaica’s future workforce, ensuring that tourism continues to provide meaningful careers, opportunities for advancement and lasting prosperity for generations of Jamaicans.”

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.  “With thousands of additional rooms planned across the island, our challenge is no longer simply attracting visitors—it is ensuring we have the skilled professionals, innovative thinkers and future leaders ready to deliver the world-class experiences that have made Jamaica a global tourism powerhouse. This Committee is about preparing today for the opportunities of tomorrow.”

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, and 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, Skills, Youth and Information, HEART/NSTA Trust, the Jamaica Centre of Tourism Innovation (JCTI) and tertiary institutions to create stronger connections between education and employment.

The Committee brings together an accomplished team of leaders from across tourism, education and workforce development, including:

• Dr. Omar Robinson, Co-Chair and JHTA Past President
• Clifton Reader, Co-Chair and JHTA Past President
• Dr. Taneisha Ingleton, Managing Director, HEART/NSTA Trust
• Dr. Carol Rose Brown, Director, Jamaica Centre of Tourism Innovation
• Dr. Luz Longsworth, Senior Corporate Director, Sandals Corporate University
• William Vassell, Third Vice President, JHTA and General Manager, Coco La Palm Seaside Resort
• Kate Hendrickson, Area Chair, JHTA Kingston Chapter and General Manager, The Courtleigh Hotel & Suites
• Karen Lanigan, Area Chair, JHTA Negril Chapter and General Manager, Couples Swept Away
• Jonay Guerra, Managing Director, Bahia Principe Grand Jamaica
• Doris Morgan, Managing Director, Palm View Resort

The Association expects the Committee to expand over time, with additional representatives from educational institutions, national training agencies and specialist hospitality organisations joining as its work progresses.

President Heron said the Committee’s first phase will focus on conducting a comprehensive assessment of workforce needs across the tourism industry while strengthening partnerships that create seamless pathways from education into employment.  “Developing Jamaica’s tourism workforce cannot be the responsibility of any single institution. It requires collaboration between industry, education, government and training providers. By bringing together some of the country’s leading minds in these areas, we are creating a framework that will help ensure Jamaica remains globally competitive while expanding opportunities for thousands of Jamaicans to build rewarding careers in tourism.”

He added that the Committee also reflects the JHTA’s broader vision of ensuring that the industry’s continued growth creates sustainable economic opportunities for communities across the island.  “Tourism’s future will not be measured solely by visitor arrivals or new hotel developments. It will be measured by the opportunities we create for our people, the careers we help build and the lives we help transform. If we invest in our workforce today, Jamaica’s tourism industry will continue to lead the Caribbean and compete successfully on the global stage for decades to come.”

As Jamaica’s tourism industry enters its next phase of expansion, the Human Capital and Workforce Development Committee will serve as a catalyst for innovation, collaboration and workforce excellence, ensuring that the country’s most valuable tourism asset—its people—remains at the centre of its continued success.