The University of the Commonwealth Caribbean Academy (UCCA) is the Technical, Vocational Education and Training (TVET) equal opportunity subsidiary of the University of the Commonwealth Caribbean Group of Companies (UCCGC). It was formed in 2015 and registered in February 2019 by the Companies Office of Jamaica (COJ). The Academy’s main campus and principal business office are located at 17 Worthington Avenue, Kingston 5, with shared campuses with the University of the Commonwealth Caribbean (UCC) in May Pen, Ocho Rios, Mandeville, and Montego Bay, St. James.

Our Mandate

The mandate of the Academy is to build professional capacity to assist in the development of the kingdom of the mind of young learners and working professionals. It also extends to working to ensure that there is the relevant professional and technical skills-set needed to meet the challenges of a rapidly changing global technological and skills-driven economic landscape in the twenty-first century. The faculty and staff of the Academy regarding the success and personal and professional development of its students as their foremost priorities.

Core Values

The UCC Academy is committed to its five core values that drive the internal decision-making of the institution on a daily basis, especially in light of the dramatic changes to our daily lives brought on by the Coronavirus (Covid-19) global pandemic namely, Education, Students, Faculty and Staff, Community Development and Environmental Sustainability. The institution’s leadership is inspired to make a difference and is committed to developing excellence in teaching, learning, development of grants, scholarships and service opportunities that are all designed to meet the needs of students and their communities.

Class Delivery Modality

In light of the Coronavirus pandemic, classes at the UCC Academy are delivered 100% online and blended on the Moodle platform, and by the 24/hour digital educational UCC TV Channel on the READY TV digital platform (Channels 103/123). This modality provides students with access to live classes on Zoom coupled with live or on-demand one-on-one tutorial sessions.

The Importance of Skills Training

The Academy recognises that skills training degrees and certifications will be the hallmark for success in the emerging digital economy necessitated by the emerging Fourth Industrial Revolution. In 2015, the certified citizens in the Jamaica labour force stood at 30%. In face of this reality, the Academy is working to play its part in shifting this needle to at least 90% by 2030.

At our inaugural virtual graduation ceremony on July 21, 2021, 408 students graduated in the Career Advancement Programme (CAP), the Occupational Associate Degree (OAD) Programme, the previous Early Career Advancement Programme (ECAP) and the Diploma in Business Administration Programme covering the three year period 2017-2020.

Courses

  • Essentials of Accounts and Customer Service
  • Certificate in Marketing and Promotions
  • Diploma in Business Administration, or a 2 year 
  • Occupational Associate Degree (OAD) under  the revised Sixth Form Integration Pathways Programme in partnership with the Ministry of Education and Youth ( MOEY) in the following five (5) areas :
  • Logistics and Supply Chain Management (LSCM)
  • Renewable Energy
  • Construction Site Management
  • Applied Health Care, and
  • Business Process Outsourcing – along with three (3) NCTVET level two skills areas.

The Ministry of Education and Youth (MOEY) revised K-13 Sixth Form Integration Pathways Programme

As one of only five University Council of Jamaica (UCJ) institutionally accredited universities in Jamaica, the University of the Commonwealth Caribbean (UCC) has partnered with the Ministry of Education and Youth (MOEY) in delivering the new ground-breaking revised Sixth Form Integration grant-funded scholarship Initiative that began at the start of the October 2020 school year superseding the ECAP/CAP programmes with the previous Ministry of Education, Youth and Information.

This collaborative partnership Initiative allows all high school graduates (grade 11) to automatically transition to grades 12-13 along with three (3) Pathways in order to earn a CXC Associate Degree, an Occupational Associate Degree (OAD), or an indigenous/traditional Associate Degree (TAD) offered by another participating tertiary institution like the UCC or the UCC Academy, or the NVQ-J Certification.

Under this revised K-13 model, the MOEY provides a tuition scholarship for the two (2) years (grades 12-13) to all bona fide students in the Programme. This access to higher education and vocational skill development creates opportunities for high-quality jobs and inclusive gainful employment.

Presently, the UCC Academy retains in excess of 30 faculty members servicing courses in Pathways1 (OAD degrees) and Pathway 2 (NVQ-J certification and City & Guilds certification) of the K-13 Programme that provide job-relevant technology competencies, and business, as well as interpersonal soft skills, that are indispensable to the prospects of hiring in the emerging new global technologically and skills – driven economy.