The history of the Human Resource Management Association of Jamaica

IN THE 1980s, Jamaica was experiencing many socioeconomic changes and there was a move to inspire change and facilitate growth and development of a group of professionals then called ‘personnel managers/officers’. Being more than just guardians of employee data, these personnel managers/officers became the catalyst for strategic development of the workforce.

It was this change that provided the context for the birth of the then Jamaica Association for Training and Development (JATAD) in 1980, which was renamed to HRMAJ in 2005. The first president of JATAD was Robert Gregory and first vice-president Ilsa duVerney. The JATAD started out with 21 members.

The JATAD’s aim was to make an impact on the level of humanresource development training in Jamaica and introduced the first HRD master’s programme in the Caribbean in conjunction with University of Cincinnati and the National Training Laboratories, out of which came the first human resource journal in Caribbean, with 12 issues published. When JATAD changed its name to the Human Resource Management Association of Jamaica, the objective was to broaden the appeal of the organisation as truly representing the full complement of HR professionals as well as to align with our CARICOM counterparts (HRMATT & HRMAB), as we sought to establish HRMAC within the context of the CSME.

JATAD PRESIDENTS:

Robert Gregory 1980-1984 Lloyd Stanley 1984-1985 Neville Ying 1985-1991 Blossom O’Mealy-Nelson 1991-1991 Lloyd Stanley 1991-1996 Clive Edwards 1996-1998 Henry Reid 1998-2002

HRMAJ PRESIDENTS:

Karl Williams* 2005-2006 Colin Barnett 2006-2010 Michael McAnuff-Jones 2010-2015 Karl Williams 2015-present.

VISION

An internationally recognised association influencing performance and productivity through cutting-edge human resource policies and practices.

MISSION STATEMENT

To operate a vibrant and proactive organisation, providing value-added services to our members, partners, associates and wider community; influencing policy, promoting organisational growth and the development of human capital. To optimise Human Capital through Research and Development and Promotion of best people management practices.

OUR VALUES

At HRMAJ, we value:

Our people as our country’s resource with the greatest potential.

Our members, associates and clients, being respectful of their concerns, responsive to their needs and committed to their success.

Excellence, innovation, creativity, continuous learning and improvement in all human endeavours. Suite #3 Midspring Plaza, 134 Constant Spring Road, Kingston 8

Tel 876-925-1010

The JATAD’s aim was to make an impact on the level of human-resource development training in Jamaica