Huawei Technologies Jamaica Co Ltd, which has been involved in developing the Information Communication Technology (ICT) talent in Jamaica has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Vocational Training Development Institute (VTDI).

Huawei, one of the world’s leading global providers of ICT infrastructure and smart devices also signed a donation agreement with the institution, to establish the newest ICT Academy programme in the island, at company’s headquarters in St Andrew yesterday (March 23).

Huawei ICT Academy is a partnership between Huawei and learning institutions around the world. Through these partnerships, the programme delivers Huawei ICT technologies training, encourages students to get Huawei certification, and develops talents with practical skill for the ICT industry and the community.

Under the programme students are usually trained in the areas of PV Solar Technology, Fibre Optics Technology and Telecom Frequency Technology.

“Huawei will be providing over US$100, 000 worth of equipment and training to HEART and to the VTDI to be able to deliver this training to young Jamaicans develop ICT talents. We believe that there is a great demand for ICT skillset in Jamaica and around the region” said Courtney Hamilton, director enterprise business group at Huawei.

Bo Zhou, country manager, Huawei Technologies Jamaica said the Huawei ICT Academy will contribute to the digital transformation of the country through the use of ICT technology.

“The ICT industry and the green energy industry are growing rapidly and so talent is key for the country’s development. There is a huge demand for the ICT professional talents in the industry and we realise that and as a company in Jamaica Huawei would like to contribute to this country’ development,” Zhou said.

He added: “So, today the collaboration between VTDI and Huawei is a mutual beneficial partnership that will provide students with more practical experience and employment opportunities. The VTDI and Huawei ICT Academy is going to play an important role in Jamaica’s digitalization.”

VTDI, the tertiary intuition for the HEART /NSTA, is the second academic institution in Jamaica that the Tech Company has partnered with to establish its Huawei ICT Academy. The first being the University of the West Indies (UWI) Mona.

 “This partnership with Huawei is very important to us. The partnership that we embark upon today will provide an opportunity for VTDI and Huawei to collaboratively promote the development of Jamaica’s local ICT talent. It will provide a bridge between industry and the institution and create employment opportunities for certified talents,” said Delize Williams, director principal VTDI.

She continued: “The VTDI is excited about this partnership and is very grateful to Huawei for this opportunity. Together let us create opportunities for our constituent to develop, excel and prosper.”

Floyd Green Minister without portfolio in the Office of the Prime Minister during his address said the Huawei ICT Academy plays a vital role in advancing the ICT space in small developing states like Jamaica.

“The Government sees this as a tremendous opportunity in the ICT space for small island developing states to be able to take advantage of the changes that are happening now and to be able to leverage the technology to really ensure that Jamaicans are at the forefront of those changes.”

“We believe that in order to embrace the change and in order to take advantage of what is happening across the world and in order to truly develop a digital society, then the foundation has to be with training…. This MOU signals that alignment that the Government has been searching for,” Green continued.

Huawei has been operating in Jamaica for the past 15 years and as such aims to equip students with ICT training to help develop the country’s tech space.

“Huawei will continue to dedicate and provide a better training resource for students in this country. Our goal here is to lead by example,” Zhou said.