Woman wants HEART to speed up certificate delivery

When Shyan Lewis completed her studies in geriatric level II and diploma patient care level III at the HEART/NSTA Trust's Operation Friendship last year, she expected that by now, she would be gainfully employed and providing for the eight children in her care.

But more than six months after completing the courses at the skills training school, Lewis is yet to receive her certificates. This, she said, has hampered her from getting jobs, and she is frustrated.

"I don't know what to do. I have had several job opportunities and I am not able take them up because I don't have the certification to give to the employers. I went to the Vocational Training Development Institute, nothing. I called Operation Friendship, nothing. And I called Ripon Road (HEART headquarters), nothing. I don't know what to do. My kids are hungry, mi have rent fi pay, mi want work," Lewis said wearily.

The 45-year-old said it was hard to finance her studies while taking care of her family as the sole breadwinner, sometimes having difficulties finding bus fare to reach Operation Friendship in Kingston for classes.

THE STAR contacted Operation Friendship and was told that the certificates are printed by the National Council on Technical and Vocational Education and Training (NCTVET).

"[Operation] Friendship is waiting on them to contact the institution to get the certificates at the institution to distribute them," THE STAR was told.

THE STAR contacted HEART's corporate office and was told that the certificates have been printed, but the individual who spoke to the news team could not say when they will be distributed as that will be based on the batch and the institution.

"We have over 100 persons waiting on their certificates, both level 2 and 3, and have been printed since last month," the person said. The individual said NCTVET notified them that the certificates were complete, and were now at HEART to be documented.

"Once they document it, they will phone me to collect it. We do our in-house documentation and then notify the students. I am uncertain of the time exactly when Friendship will receive them," THE STAR was told.