Youth urged to grab TVET opportunities

Kishan Clarke dedicates much of his time encouraging the youth in his Mountain View, East Kingston community to take advantage of programmes offered by the HEART/NSTA Trust.

"Go [to HEART], get a skill," he urged the youngsters, many of who are unattached. "Do the electrical course, do the plumbing, do the mechanic, do the carpentry courses."

"They're there and it doesn't cost much. This is an opportunity. This is a second chance that you are getting to make something of yourself," Clarke told the youngsters."

He stressed that by taking these courses, youngsters not only learn a trade but also create opportunities for a better future. All programmes offered by the Government-funded HEART/NSTA Trust up to level four (associate degree) are offered free of cost. Prime Minister, Dr Andrew Holness, announced last week that beginning in fiscal year 2026/27, fees for all programmes up to level five will be removed.

Clarke has become an unofficial ambassador for the institution, spreading awareness about the variety of courses available.

"I always tell people who I encounter about the HEART/NSTA Trust and the programmes that they offer. I believe people ought to know. The traditional professional areas are saturated and there are other skill areas that people can learn," he said.

Clarke's advocacy is a push for self-reliance and economic empowerment, giving Mountain View's youth a chance to build careers, achieve financial independence, and contribute meaningfully to their community.

The 31-year-old graduate of The University of the West Indies (UWI) is now a law student. He is also the first person in his family to attend university.

A past student of Clan Carthy High School in Kingston, Clarke was in his first year at UWI, Mona, pursuing a degree in political science when a friend sent him a flyer about the Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) Tertiary Scholarship Programme, encouraging him to apply.

At first, he was hesitant, as his course of study was not in a vocational area. However, he decided to take a leap of faith. Years before, just after leaving high school, he had completed level two administrative training at the HEART/NSTA Trust. In addition, he was in financial need, which was one a criteria for the scholarship.

Clarke said that even after submitting the application, he remained sceptical.

"I received an email saying 'Congratulations, your application has been received, and you'll be notified of the interview'. Before the interview, I said to myself, you are not leaving without obtaining the scholarship," he said.

In 2023, Clarke was awarded the scholarship, which covered 80 per cent of tuition for the remainder of his university tenure.

Before receiving the award, Clarke, who comes from modest circumstances, was struggling to finance his studies.

"I was able to beg, borrow, beseech for the first semester. I was like, okay, I'm in my second semester now, what am I going to do? The scholarship came just in time. A burden was lifted off my shoulders," he said.

Clarke completed his political science degree last June and began studying law that September.

His decision to pursue law was shaped by his life growing up in Mountain View and a desire to advocate for underserved communities.

"I want to be in a position where I'm able to educate. A lot of people in the inner cities, they're unaware of their rights, their basic fundamental rights," he said.

Clarke is funding his law degree through a payment plan and income from working as a mixologist.

Beyond his personal achievements, Clarke is committed to giving back. He hosts mentorship sessions with young men in his Mountain View community, many of whom are high-school dropouts, encouraging them to explore TVET pathways.