HEART/NSTA Trust celebrates Brandon Brown’s historic WorldSkills gold in optoelectronics technology

KINGSTON, Jamaica—The HEART/NSTA Trust is celebrating a historic achievement for Jamaica and the Caribbean as Brandon Brown captures gold in optoelectronics technology at the 48th WorldSkills Competition in Shanghai, China. This is Jamaica’s first gold medal at the WorldSkills International Competition and the first gold medal won by a Caribbean competitor at the global skills competition, placing his achievement among the most significant milestones in Jamaica’s participation in the international skills movement. Brown, a former trainee, now a demonstrator at the agency’s National Tool and Engineering Institute, is also the Caribbean’s first-ever gold medallist for the Americas in Optoelectronic Technology. The historic victory also shines a spotlight on the calibre of technical talent being developed through Jamaica’s technical and vocational education and training (TVET) system and demonstrates the capacity of young Jamaicans to compete at the highest international standards. Managing Director of the HEART/NSTA Trust and Official Delegate and Chief Executive Officer of WorldSkills Jamaica, Dr Taneisha Ingleton, is congratulating Brown on his exceptional achievement and recognises the contribution of the entire team Jamaica delegation. “Brandon’s achievement is a tremendous source of pride for Jamaica and a powerful demonstration of what is possible when talent, discipline, technical excellence and sustained preparation come together. His gold medal represents a significant milestone for Jamaica and the Caribbean and reflects the calibre of talent that can emerge through technical and vocational education and training,” Dr Ingleton said. Ingleton noted that Brown’s accomplishment reinforces the importance of investing in skills development as Jamaica prepares its workforce for a rapidly evolving global economy. “The disciplines represented by team Jamaica in Shanghai are at the forefront of innovation, digital transformation, automation, connectivity and emerging technologies. Brandon’s success demonstrates that Jamaicans can compete and excel at the highest international standards, while inspiring more young people to see skills training as a pathway to innovation, economic opportunity and national development,” she said. The HEART/NSTA Trust is also celebrating Omar Cockett, who competed for Jamaica in Unmanned Aerial Systems, as a recipient of the Best of Nation Award at WorldSkills Shanghai. The Best of Nation Award is a recognition given to the competitor whose performance best reflects excellence for their country’s or region's team at the competition. The recognition underscores Cockett’s contribution to team Jamaica’s strong showing at the global competition and further highlights the technical capability and determination of Jamaica’s young skilled professionals. The trust also celebrates Rayon-Jai Pusey and Antonio Rolong, competing in Autonomous Mobile Robotics, and Courtenay Ferguson, competing in ICT Network Infrastructure, for their commitment, preparation and commendable representation of Jamaica on the world stage. Together, the five competitors represented Jamaica among participants from countries competing across 64 skill areas at the September 22–27 competition. The delegation led by Dr Ingleton is expected to return to the island on September 29. WorldSkills Jamaica, based at the HEART/NSTA Trust, was established in 2002, with Jamaica becoming the first English-speaking Caribbean country to achieve full membership in WorldSkills International in 2004. Jamaica made its international competition debut in Helsinki, Finland, in 2005 and has since had a combined total of 39 competitors participating in eight international competitions and has hosted six major national competitions with participants from HEART institutions as well as local high schools and universities. Brown’s historic gold in optoelectronics technology, alongside Crockett’s Best of Nation recognition and the strong representation from the other members of team Jamaica, adds another significant chapter to Jamaica’s WorldSkills journey.