About VTDI – Vocational Training Development Institute

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About Our Institution

The Vocational Training Development Institute (VTDI) is a premier tertiary institution in Jamaica offering technical and vocational education and training (TVET). Operating under the Ministry of Education, Skills, Youth and Information, VTDI is committed to preparing learners with practical skills, professional certification, and the confidence to succeed in today's workforce.

Our programmes are outcomes-based, hands-on, and aligned with national development goals. Whether you're advancing your career in education, technology, logistics, animation, or events management, VTDI provides the tools, training, and support to help you excel.

Explore What VTDI Offers

Mission & Vision - VTDI

Our Mission & Vision

Guiding principles that shape the future of technical and vocational education at VTDI.

Vision

To be the premier tertiary TVET institution in the Caribbean.

Mission

To produce highly competent technical, vocational educators and professionals for the 21st century and beyond.

Why Choose Our Institution

At the VTDI, we don’t just teach, we equip. Our programmes are designed to industry standard, supported by the Ministry of Education, Skills, Youth and Information (MoESYI) and delivered through flexible, student-focused pathways across Jamaica.

Workforce-Driven Programmes

Our curriculum is built around national priorities and labour market needs, preparing students for immediate employment or advancement in ICT, logistics, education, and entrepreneurship.

Ministry Support & Accreditation

As a tertiary institution under the Ministry of Education, Skills, Youth and Information (MoESYI), VTDI delivers accredited programmes by the UCJ and NCTVET ensuring quality and national recognition.

Access Across Jamaica

With locations in Kingston and Manchester, plus flexible learning options, VTDI brings career advancement opportunities closer to home.

VTDI FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

What programmes does VTDI offer?

VTDI offers industry-relevant programmes at the Associate Degree, Bachelor's Degree, and Postgraduate levels. These include programmes in Information & Communication Technology, Animation, Logistics & Supply Chain Management, Career Development, Draughting and Building Technology, Applied Technology, and Education & Training.

Is VTDI accredited?

VTDI does not have institutional accreditation. Instead, we have programmes that are UCJ accredited.

Where are your campuses located?

VTDI's main campus is in Kingston, with an extension site in Manchester to serve learners across the island.

Can I study part-time or online?

Absolutely. VTDI offers full-time, part-time, blended and online learning options.

Does VTDI offer financial assistance?

Yes. Students may access scholarships, grants, and flexible payment plans through partnerships with the Ministry of Education and private sector organizations.

Who does VTDI serve?

VTDI serves a broad audience including TVET instructors, school administrators, industry professionals, and secondary school graduates looking to advance their education and careers.

What makes VTDI different from other institutions?

VTDI is student-centered, offers small class sizes, competitive tuition, and labour market-driven programmes. Students are taught through hands-on, real-world applications and gain entrepreneurial and life skills as outlined in VTDI's Graduate Profile.

How does VTDI ensure students are career-ready?

All programmes include a mandatory internship (practicum) component where students gain industry experience aligned with their training. Many VTDI graduates are recruited directly from their internship placements.

How are courses delivered at VTDI?

VTDI uses the Competency-Based Education and Training (CBET) methodology, which emphasizes practical, skill-based learning over traditional testing. Students learn through real-life applications, projects, and interactive assignments.

Give a short synopsis of the structure of the teaching format of the programmes offered.

Courses within programmes are typically delivered and assessed using the Competency-Based Education and Training (CBET) methodology. Creative methodologies are employed to cater to students with diverse learning styles, and students are given multiple opportunities to master their skills. Assessment emphasizes real scenarios, allowing students to apply their skills and knowledge in authentic contexts. A variety of assessment strategies are used, reducing reliance on traditional written tests. For example, students in entertainment event production courses will produce actual entertainment events, and field trips are incorporated as part of their training.

Does VTDI offer customized or short courses?

Yes. VTDI offers both customized training solutions for industries and a wide range of short courses for the general public in various subject areas.

VTDI History - WordPress Compatible

Our History

The Vocational Training Development Institute (VTDI) was established in 1970 with the assistance of the International Labour Organization (ILO), the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), and the Government of Jamaica. The institute was established to address the following aims:

To train instructors to deliver vocational education in the private and public sectors.
To retrain and upgrade the skills of workers for employment and production.
To prepare, develop and document industrial vocational training syllabuses, standards, manuals and literature for the use of the public and private sectors.
To train and certify students and workmen at all levels and grades.

VTDI was established in response to the growth in the bauxite industry. Workers were needed in this industry and they lacked the necessary training. Skilled craftsmen with no teacher training qualifications were recruited. The VTDI provided pedagogical training and helped to strengthen their technical competence. It was initially operated by a team of international experts with Jamaican counterparts.

Since 1990, the VTDI has been managed by the Human Employment and Resource Training National Training Agency (HEART Trust/NTA) and has been described as the tertiary arm of the agency. The agency was established in 1982 and is funded by 3% of the employer's wage bill. Today, the institute has expanded its original mandate of solely providing a diploma in technical and vocational education and training, by offering programmes to the postgraduate diploma level. The Competency-Based Education and Training approach (CBET) is employed when designing, delivering and assessing programmes. It is central to the teaching/learning experience provided at the institution.