JCTI partners with Toronto Metropolitan University to boost tourism sector workforce | News
Pictured: Incumbent Minister of Tourism Edmund Bartlett (C) with Roberta Iannacito-Provenzano, Provost and Vice President, Academic, Toronto Metropolitan University (TMU) (L) and Cynthia Holmes, Dean, Ted Rogers School of Management, TMU. Sharing at this time are L-R, Donovan White, Director of Tourism, Donnette Chin-Loy, Chancellor of TMU and Angella Bennett, Regional Director of Canada. The reason was the tour of the university to discuss tourism possibilities and cooperation.
Minister of Tourism Edmund Bartlett has announced that initial discussions have begun for the Jamaica Center of Tourism Innovation (JCTI) and Toronto Metropolitan University (TMU) to collaborate to develop comprehensive training and certification programs for tourism professionals across Jamaica.
This groundbreaking partnership will aim to strengthen the capabilities of the Jamaican tourism workforce by providing world-class professional development opportunities that align with international industry standards. The partnership will leverage TMU’s extensive expertise in hospitality and tourism education, in addition to JCTI’s in-depth knowledge of the Caribbean tourism landscape.
“This partnership represents an important milestone in our commitment to building a highly skilled, globally competitive workforce in the tourism sector,” said Minister of Tourism Edmund Bartlett. “By partnering with Toronto Metropolitan University, we are bringing internationally recognized training standards to Jamaica and ensuring our programs reflect the unique strengths of Caribbean hospitality.”
This announcement follows a tour and meeting with the minister and his team and TMU administrators at the university on Tuesday, October 7, 2025.
Although still in its infancy, the partnership will focus on developing specialized training modules in areas such as customer service excellence and sustainable tourism practices. Tourism industry workers at all levels – from frontline staff to management – will have access to certification programs designed to enhance their skills and career prospects.
“We ensure the development of human capital at the highest level for our workers at the heart of tourism. If they are trained and certified, this will not only professionalize the sector, but it will also enable them to earn more and demand more,” said Tourism Minister Edmund Bartlett.
TMU brings decades of experience in tourism education and has established itself as a leader in innovative, hands-on learning. The university’s Ted Rogers School of Hospitality and Tourism Management is known for its industry partnerships and commitment to excellence in education.
“We look forward to working with the Jamaica Center of Tourism Innovation to create meaningful learning opportunities for tourism professionals,” the spokesperson said [TMU representative]. “This partnership will allow us to share knowledge and best practices while learning from Jamaica’s rich tourism heritage and innovative approaches to hospitality.”
Both institutions are committed to developing a successful program. This partnership underlines Jamaica’s continued commitment to tourism excellence and workforce development as critical pillars of the country’s economic growth strategy.
