Minister of Education and Sports Daryll Matthew has endorsed the Technical Vocational Education Training (TVET) Framework for Certification in Antigua and Barbuda, launched last week in Antigua.
Funded by the European Development Fund through the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB), the project aims to improve the regulatory and strategic framework for the development of the Technical Vocational Education and Training (TVET) system, giving Antiguans and Barbudans equal opportunities to bid for jobs within the Caribbean Single Market and Economy (CSME), through Caribbean Vocational Qualifications.
Speaking at the launch of the project, Minster Daryll Matthew, said skilled TVET workers will be critical in the developmental plans for the country, as part of the government’s mandate.
“TVET has always been seen as a catalyst in the national development plans as an avenue to create a knowledgeable and capable workforce. Studies have shown that TVET in industrialized countries were able to enhance the country’s economic development, industrial expansion, and competitiveness.
“Rapid development in the economy and processes demonstrate that there is need for highly skilled professionals with appropriate employability skills to meet the demands of today’s dynamic labour market,” Minister Matthew stated.
He emphasised that the project is another channel through which those who are not academically inclined can be certified.
“The Project to be undertaken by the GOAB will focus primarily on the post-school training of individuals who have already established themselves in a particular field, but who do not possess the required certification that will make it possible to take advantage of the opportunities available locally and through the CSME. The benefits to enhancing the TVET programme in Antigua and Barbuda are many, with the key advantage being the GOAB’s ability to align training resources more strategically to the nation’s developmental priorities.”
Two hundred and fifty-seven thousand, five hundred and thirty-five Euros (EUR257, 535) will be expended on the project until 30th March, 2024.
