The College of International Skills and Health Care (Formerly Distinction College, Junction) started in September 2014 at 4A Pines Plaza, Junction, St. Elizabeth. The establishment of the institution was in response to the people of the parish and its environment to answer their call for more opportunities to be formally trained in practical and academic areas of education. A three-year memorandum of understanding (MOU) was formed with the well-established Distinction College Brand, to answer the call of persons who wanted a ‘second chance’ to be qualified in hospitality, health care, security, and business courses. The name Distinction College was formally changed to College of International Skills and Healthcare (COISH) in 2017.
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In 2016 the institution was approved to offer City and Guilds of London qualifications, as a sub-centre. In 2016 the Association of Business Executive (ABE), London gave its approval of centre status on the institution to offer Level 4 certifications in Business Management, Travel, Tourism & Hospitality Management and Human Resource Management. The approval enabled the institution to issue qualifications that are highly valued by employers across the world, helping individuals develop their talents and abilities for career progression. The college is also registered with the Ministry of Education and partners with The National Council on Technical and Vocational Education and Training (NCTVET).
The independent school started in September 2014 with 33 students doing various courses. To date, the lives of 298 students have been impacted by qualifications they would have to travel several miles to acquire. Areas of studies include courses in Healthcare, Hospitality, Business and Security. By September 2017 several new courses and programmes will be available to meet the identified needs of the callers. Among these we will be courses such as Plumbing, Electrical Installation, Records Management, and Life Skills in Mathematics/numeracy, English Language, Reading, Writing and Basic Computing. Negotiation is well on the way to start a two years Associate Degree Programme with an established university. This will enable students to complete two years COISH and transition to the degree programme and spend two years. The initial programmes will be in Business Administration and Hospitality and Tourism.
Certification: Upon successful completion of all units of the specific course students are awarded a certificate from Distinction College, endorsed by the Ministry of Education (Jamaica). Students who successfully completed examinations at external institutions such as the City and Guilds of London, ABE or NCTVET are awarded those certificates. The college boasts a 100% pass rate in all external examination for the health care, business, and skills courses taken at the external level.
The proposed Associate Degrees will be examined by the University of the Commonwealth Caribbean.
Training: Delivery of training is done through a mixed mode of teaching and learning. After weeks of theory and practical training, students have the opportunity of gaining practical knowledge through work experience. Several hotels and organizations, across Jamaica, have formed partnership with the institution. Several students have been employed through this exposure.
Staffing: Staff members range from certificate qualification to the doctoral level. The professionalism of the administrative and teaching staff and the administration of the institution is rated as “university” standard by students and visitors to the institution. The understanding, caring and commitment to the students create an atmosphere that fosters dynamic learning and social development.