The Human Resource Management Association of Jamaica (HRMAJ), formerly The Jamaica Association of Training and Development (JATAD) saw its genesis in 1978 when a small group of training and development practitioners decided to form an association dedicated to the training and improvement of such professionals and practitioners.
In the early days, the Institute of Management and Production (IMP) under the leadership of Dr. Hopeton Gordon and the Jamaica Institute of Management (JIM), headed by the Hon. Glen Owen were instrumental in facilitating the activities of JATAD by providing a venue for meetings. However, it was not until November 11, 1980 that the Association was formally established and was officially launched on February 17, 1981 by then Minister of Industry and Commerce, Hon. Douglas Vaz.
Within six weeks of formation, JATAD's membership grew by 700%. At the transition to HRMAJ, July 14, 2005, membership stood at over 300 individuals and corporate entities.