Human Employment and Resource Training/National Service Training Agency (HEART/NSTA Trust)

The Human Employment and Resource Training/National Service and Training Agency Trust (HEART/NSTA Trust, or HEART Trust) is a Jamaican statutory body established under the Human Employment and Resource Training Act 1982. Originally renamed HEART Trust/NTA in 1991, it assumed its current name in 2019 following a merger with the Jamaican Foundation for Lifelong Learning, National Youth Service, and Apprenticeship Board.

HEART Trust’s mandate is to provide a trained and certified workforce meeting international standards for Jamaica’s labor market. The organization delivers vocational, lifelong learning, and employability skills training to drive economic productivity and higher value-added activities in critical sectors through its “Triple Access Strategy.”

For the 2026/27 financial year, HEART Trust targets enrolling 108,342 trainees across various programs, with 41,070 expected to obtain certification. Training will be delivered through cross HEART’s network of institutions, in partnerships with over 75 community training locations, enterprise and work-based training interventions and adult education sites.

The Trust projects a net surplus after tax of $1,022.58 million.

Indicators	Findings

Board Composition
Board with requisite skills as per the Competency Profile
Chairperson is not sitting more than two consecutive terms
Chairperson that chairs no more than two other public boards
Board with a minimum of 30% male members
Board with a minimum of 30% female members
Current board retained at least 3 members or a third of previous board

Governance Structure
Board Charter (which includes conflict of interest provisions)
Non-Executive Independent Chair
Trained Corporate Secretary
Annual board training (in procurement, risk management, etc.)
Annual board evaluation
Board processes are executed (AGM, Annual Calenders, Meeting Frequency, Filings at Companies Office, etc.)
Board minutes are transmitted to the Permanent Secretary
Information & Disclosure policy

Audit and Internal Control
Internal auditor that reports to board through Audit Committee
Audit Committee with Terms of Reference
Audit Committee with three or more members including a qualified accountant/persons possessing expertise in finance
Audit Committee that does not include the Board Chair
Audit Committee that excludes the Procurement Committee Chair
Procurement Committee that rotates members every three years
Independent Chair of Procurement Committee (not chaired by Finance Director)
Board procedures in place regarding procurement oversight
Trained Procurement Committee
Annual Procurement Plan

Reporting and Compliance
Annual Report to the Responsible Minister submitted within 4 months of the end of the entity's financial year
Annual Board-Approved Corporate Plan in place by Nov 30 (must include strategic objectives, budget and work plan)
Annual Report tabled in Parliament within six (6) months of the entity's financial year
Minister issued Statement of Corporate Expectation to board
Chair and Responsible Minister met at least twice yearly to discuss Agency performance and emerging issues

Ethics and Behaviour
Corporate Social Responsibility Framework (including Donations Policy)
Code of Ethics with conflict-of-interest provisions
Staff that are trained in Code of Ethics
Whistle Blowing Policy
Enterprise Risk Management Policy

Indicators

Findings

Board Composition

Board with requisite skills as per the Competency Profile

Chairperson is not sitting more than two consecutive terms

Chairperson that chairs no more than two other public boards

Board with a minimum of 30% male members

Board with a minimum of 30% female members

Current board retained at least 3 members or a third of previous board

Governance Structure

Board Charter (which includes conflict of interest provisions)

Non-Executive Independent Chair

Trained Corporate Secretary

Annual board training (in procurement, risk management, etc.)

Annual board evaluation

Board processes are executed (AGM, Annual Calenders, Meeting Frequency, Filings at Companies Office, etc.)

Board minutes are transmitted to the Permanent Secretary

Information & Disclosure policy

Audit and Internal Control

Internal auditor that reports to board through Audit Committee

Audit Committee with Terms of Reference

Audit Committee with three or more members including a qualified accountant/persons possessing expertise in finance

Audit Committee that does not include the Board Chair

Audit Committee that excludes the Procurement Committee Chair

Procurement Committee that rotates members every three years

Independent Chair of Procurement Committee (not chaired by Finance Director)

Board procedures in place regarding procurement oversight

Trained Procurement Committee

Annual Procurement Plan

Reporting and Compliance

Annual Report to the Responsible Minister submitted within 4 months of the end of the entity's financial year

Annual Board-Approved Corporate Plan in place by Nov 30 (must include strategic objectives, budget and work plan)

Annual Report tabled in Parliament within six (6) months of the entity's financial year

Minister issued Statement of Corporate Expectation to board

Chair and Responsible Minister met at least twice yearly to discuss Agency performance and emerging issues

Ethics and Behaviour

Corporate Social Responsibility Framework (including Donations Policy)

Code of Ethics with conflict-of-interest provisions

Staff that are trained in Code of Ethics

Whistle Blowing Policy

Enterprise Risk Management Policy

Indicators	Findings
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Indicators

Findings

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Human Employment and Resource Training/National Service Training Agency (HEART/NSTA Trust)

Dr. Taneisha Ingleton

Prof. Lloyd Waller, CD

Dr. The Most Hon. Andrew Holness, ON, PC, MP

Ambassador Rocky Meade, CD, JP, PhD

Overview

Key Compliance Results