COMPETENCY BASED TRAINING IN LATIN AMERICA AND THE CARIBBEAN
Recent developments. Some experiences. January, 2003

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2. VOCATIONAL TRAINING INSTITUTIONS IN THE ENGLISH CARIBBEAN AND COMPETENCY BASED TRAINING

The National Training Agencies (NTA7) of Jamaica, Trinidad & Tobago, and Barbados have embarked together on training a competent workforce through establishing vocational qualifications (with nation-wide scope) based on competencies. Stemming from tripartite initiatives, the vocational qualifications based on competencies are comparable to international standards, thus ensuring that the final product agrees with the requirements of industry. The NTAs are also collaborating to obtain mutual recognition for their respective skills / competencies / qualifications, and subsequently to formulate vocational qualifications for the whole Caribbean (CVQ). Insofar as they deal with common vocational norms and accreditation, these initiatives have anticipated the current debate between the member states of the CARICOM about the free movement of competencies and the implementation of Protocol II.

Among other activities and good practices to solve the problems of research and development mentioned above, are the following8:

Trinidad and Tobago - National Training Agency

• Thirteen national Occupational Standards launched in April 2001 in such areas as Welding, Food and Beverage Services, Information Technology, Industrial Instrumentation, and Process Operators. To date over 22 draft standards have been prepared by industry training organizations;
• A web page enabling readers to search for information on vocational qualifications, industry partners, and accreditation standards among other topics has been established. (www.ntatt.org)
  
• A national skills bill to facilitate funding for workers wishing to improve their knowledge and skills is currently being planned for introduction to Parliament.

Barbados - TVET Council (www.tvetcouncil.com.bb)

• The Council plans to introduce shortly Barbados' National Vocational Qualifications and is working with lead bodies in occupational areas of Information Technology, Tourism, Hospitality and Customer Service. The outcome is expected to result in National Vocational Qualifications that meet the local needs in Barbados while benchmarked against international requirements as well.
• The Council administers the Employment and Training Fund (ETF) that provides a grant and loan programme to support comprehensive labour force training and skill upgrading.
  

Jamaica - The HEART Trust / NTA (www.heart-nta.org)

• Heart Trust/NTA serves as a model in developing and implementing competency-based skill standards and qualifications in the Caribbean. A list of curriculum packages and ordering information can be obtained via e-mail at <heart@uwimona.edu.jm>
• Heart Trust/NTA, through its instructor training institution, Vocational Training and Development Institute (VTDI), will in September launch a four year Bachelors Degree in Education specializing in Technical and Vocational Education and Training. For additional information, fax (806) 977-4303.
• Sharing of information and expertise to vocational agencies in the region has helped to make the Heart Trust/NTA a regional focal point on TVET issues. An example of this support was recently typified in the visit of a St. Lucian delegation to the HEART Trust /NTA to experience the Jamaica's tech-Voc model for adaptation in St. Lucia.
  

St. Lucia

• Plans are underway to expand Technical and Vocational Education through a network of National Skills Training Centers by recent legislation of the TVET Council.

 

 

 

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7. National Training Agency.
8. An overview of training in the Caribbean is available at Cinterfor Bulletin N° 149. Labour competences in vocational training. Montevideo, Cinterfor, 2001.

 

 

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