A spirit of perseverance and ambition filled the auditorium at Manpower & Maintenance Services Limited Group (MMS) headquarters as the Institute for Workforce Education & Development (IWED) honored its latest batch of graduates. Among them was Carlene Patrick, who stood out not only for her dedication to learning but also for her remarkable resilience in overcoming personal challenges.
Patrick, a quality assurance coordinator at MMS for the past eight years, received the prestigious Holistic Excellence Award, a testament to her unwavering commitment to self-improvement. Having completed over seven courses in fields ranging from allied health to customer service, she exemplifies the essence of lifelong learning.
“I got pregnant early and never had the chance to graduate high school,” Patrick shared. “But I made a promise to myself that every opportunity to grow, I would take. I went back to school for a diploma in business management, and now I keep pushing forward.”
Her journey through IWED has seen her master various skills, including hygiene practice, first aid, report writing, and health & safety. For Patrick, education is more than just acquiring credentials—it is about reclaiming lost opportunities and building a future on her own terms.
The graduation ceremony, themed ‘Empowering the Workforce, Transforming the Future’, celebrated the achievements of 50 graduates across multiple disciplines, including allied health, public area hygiene, landscape & grounds, and customer service. Special awards were given to standout performers such as Ashley Stephenson, Sandra Letts, and Courtney Walters in customer service, while Francene Peart and Charmaine Campbell-Christie were recognized for their excellence in allied health.
Wayne Chen, chairman of IWED, emphasized the importance of continuous upskilling in a rapidly evolving job market. “The key to increasing earning potential lies in personal productivity,” he said, encouraging graduates to leverage their new qualifications to secure better opportunities.
Verica Bennett-Davidson, interim president of IWED, echoed similar sentiments, noting the growing importance of micro-credentials in workforce development. “Skills-based learning is gaining traction globally, and IWED remains committed to equipping learners with relevant expertise to thrive in both local and international markets.”
Keynote speaker Natalie Robinson, senior director of marketing, communications, and community engagement at the HEART/NSTA Trust, underscored the value of certification. “These qualifications are more than just paperwork; they signify competence, capability, and readiness to contribute meaningfully to society. Whether in allied health, public hygiene, or customer service, these roles demand care, compassion, and responsibility.”
Robinson also highlighted the pandemic’s role in emphasizing the need for specialized training, particularly in public area hygiene, where trained professionals played a critical role in maintaining public health standards.
