• Change of Command First Battalion The Jamaica Regiment
• US Government donates New Nortech Interceptor Vessels to the Jamaica Defence Force Coast Guard.
• Opening Ceremony Jamaica Defence Force Technical and Vocational Training Institute

The Jamaica Defence Force along with the Heart Trust (NTA) made a significant step in the training of new artisans with the opening the Jamaica Defence Force Technical and Vocational Training Institute (JDFTVTI) at Up Park Camp, Kingston, on 14 January 2008.

The occasion started with the Padre, Captain D Smalling, asking God for his blessings and protection of the Institute.  After the prayers, the Master of Ceremony, Captain D O Lewis, gave the opening remarks.  He said that it was a historic day for the opening as it coincided with the 101st Anniversary of the 1907 earthquake.

Captain Lewis then introduced the Acting Commanding Officer of 1 Engineer Regiment (JDF), Major P S Risden, under whose command the institution falls, who explained the reason for establishing the Vocational Training Institute at Up Park Camp.  He said that the JDF was unable to send a large number of students to the Heart Trust (NTA) for training and saw it fit to open a school of its own at Up Park Camp.

Following Major Risden’s address, Mrs Grace McLean, the Director of Enterprise Base Training at the Heart Trust (NTA), said the Heart Trust (NTA) is pleased to be partnering with the JDF in this venture.   Mr Kevin Mullings, Senior Programme Director of the Heart Trust (NTA), was also in attendance..

JDF’s Colonel General Staff, Colonel A D Anderson, a former Commanding Officer of  1 Engineer Regiment (JDF), further explained that the JDF could not train the amount of persons that required to be trained and so Heart Trust was contacted to help established a training institute.  He went on to say that the vision is to have the courses at the school accredited so that the soldiers when they leave the JDF would be able to use their certificate for employment after leaving the JDF.

After the various speeches it was time for the cutting of the ribbon to officially open the school. This was done by Colonel Anderson and Mr Kevin Mullings.   An extensive tour of the facilities was  then given by Captain Lewis to the guests in attendance.