Bridging education and work: ILO advances future-ready skills at Grenada’s National Summit

St. George’s, Grenada (ILO News) - The International Labour Organization (ILO) joined national leaders, educators, and development partners at the National Education Summit, held on 23 October 2025 to help shape new pathways in education and workforce development under the theme “Bridging the divide: Reimagining education for a future-ready workforce.”

The one-day summit brought together policymakers, training institutions, the private sector, civil society, and international partners to explore how education reform could better align with the realities of a fast-changing labour market. With the world of work being reshaped by digital transformation, sustainability imperatives, and new skills demands, the dialogue focused on creating an integrated and equitable education system, one where Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) and academic pathways work hand in hand to power inclusive growth.

The agenda featured expert presentations, interactive discussions, and high-level panels that examined the intersection of education, technology, and labour market transformation. Participants explored how Artificial Intelligence (AI) and digital innovation are redefining skills demand and how education systems must adapt to foster resilience, creativity, and lifelong learning.

Dr. Kemoy Edwards, Chief Executive Officer, Grenada National Training Agency, described the event as a landmark summit which embodied “a commitment to reimagine education and training so that every Grenadian, regardless of background or pathway, can access meaningful opportunities to learn, opportunities to work, and opportunities to thrive in a world that is changing rapidly.”

She set the context stating, “the demands of the 21st century workplace are changing. Automation, artificial intelligence, and green transition are redefining skills. Grenada cannot afford to have its learners and workers confined to these outdated categories of academic or technical. We must instead build a single flexible system of lifelong learning that values and connects both.”

Representing the ILO, Abdelmalik Muhummed, Specialist in Employment and Labour Market Policies, delivered a compelling presentation to the plenary on “Preparing educators for emerging trends and innovations in the labour market.” Using empirical data on global and regional trends and the national labour market realities in Grenada, he underscored the critical role of teachers, trainers, and education leaders in shaping adaptive learning ecosystems that anticipate and respond to the evolving world of work.

As he unpacked the requirements for operationalizing a demand-driven education system, Muhummed counselled, “When education systems and labour markets are aligned, we create pathways for every learner to thrive - building a workforce that is adaptable, inclusive, and ready to shape a just and sustainable future. Achieving this in Grenada demands robust labour market analysis, responsive feedback to education and training system, and integrated mechanisms that facilitate school-to-work transition. Employers and workers must be central to this effort.”

As Grenada and the wider Caribbean region invest in building sustainable and inclusive economies, the ILO reaffirmed its commitment to supporting policies and programmes that promote quality education, skills development, and decent work for all.

The outcomes of the National Education Summit will inform national strategies to strengthen the alignment between education systems and the evolving labour market, ensuring that no learner or worker is left behind in the region’s transition toward a more equitable and sustainable future.