Strengthening skills development for sustainable Caribbean growth

Caribbean technical vocational education and training (TVET) experts gathered with workforce development specialists from across the globe to explore how the region can benefit from innovative strategies and best practices in skills development.

Hosted on 14 February 2025 by the International Labour Organization (ILO) Office for the Caribbean in collaboration with the Caribbean Association of National Training Authorities (CANTA), the webinar "Bridging Skills Gaps for Sustainable Growth" provided a platform for sharing critical insights on apprenticeships, skills intelligence, and the integration of artificial intelligence (AI) in education and employment.

“Inconsistencies and shortages of technical and transferable core skills continue to be a major cause of recruitment difficulties in the Caribbean. We organized this webinar to underscore the need for policymakers to develop frameworks that promote demand-driven strategies and foster collaboration between educational institutions and industries,” explained Ilca Webster, ILO Caribbean Specialist for Skills and Lifelong Learning, who led the coordination of the webinar.

Session one focused on Skills Intelligence including insights into Ghana’s Sector Skills Bodies while showcasing successful approaches to sector-specific training strategies. Additionally, the Serviço Nacional de Aprendizagem Industrial (SENAI) Foresight Model was featured as an innovative approach to anticipating industry skills demands and preparing the workforce accordingly. The second session delved into the transformative potential of generative AI in the workplace. ILO Senior Economist Janine Berg led the session to showcase how AI advancements impact job roles and skill requirements globally. Participants examined the risks and opportunities associated with AI adoption, particularly in emerging industries, and were encouraged to to acquire digital literacy and AI-related skills to remain competitive in the job market.

During the third session, Pat Bidart (Colleges and Institutes Canada) explored how quality apprenticeships can effectively bridge the gap between education and employment. Her presentation involved insights and lessons learned from the implementation of apprenticeships in partnership with Caribbean TVET institutions participating in the Skills to Access the Green Economy (SAGE) project.

Concluding remarks from Orlando Hewitt, Technical Officer at the CANTA Secretariat reinforced the need for continuous collaboration among governments, educational institutions, and industries.

The webinar marked a pivotal moment for Caribbean TVET leaders as it demonstrated how leveraging quality apprenticeships, skills intelligence, and the AI revolution can create more resilient and inclusive employment opportunities.