Strengthening skills for Southern Belize: Stakeholders validate TVET situational analysis

Punta Gorda, Belize (ILO News) - Stakeholders from across Southern Belize came together on 22 November 2025 at the HOPE Building in Punta Gorda to validate the findings of a comprehensive Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) situational analysis carried out under the ILO–EU PROSPER Project. Facilitated by the M.D.C.L Consultancy team comprised of Diana Carillo, Manuela Lue, Consuelo Godfrey, and Ryan Mendez, the session marked an important milestone in efforts to build a more inclusive, market-responsive, skills development system for the Toledo and Stann Creek districts.

Conducted between August and November 2025, the TVET assessment examined the current status and capacity of institutions in the region to deliver relevant, competency-based training, aligned with emerging opportunities in two key value chains: tourism and agroforestry production (cacao, honey, cardamom, and vanilla). The study engaged nine TVET institutions, twelve community organizations, and more than 200 stakeholders across Maya and Garifuna communities, ensuring diverse voices contributed to the process.

During the validation session, facilitators presented preliminary findings drawn from surveys, interviews, and community dialogues. Participants, including TVET educators, community leaders, government representatives, civil society actors, and indigenous groups, reviewed the results and provided valuable insights for strengthening the final report. Discussions highlighted persistent gaps in training equipment, instructor capacity, and curriculum relevance, as well as the need for stronger coordination between learning institutions and employers.

Tanisha Chavarria, National Project Coordinator for the ILO PROSPER Project, emphasized the importance of collaboration, saying, “This validation session allows us to hear directly from the communities we aim to serve, ensuring that TVET programmes reflect local realities and open pathways for meaningful employment.”

Stakeholders also underscored the barriers faced by vulnerable groups, including women, youth, persons with disabilities, and indigenous learners. These challenges - ranging from cultural and financial constraints to geographic distance - continue to limit access to training and hinder transitions into the labour market. Participants pointed to potential solutions such as mobile training units, flexible schedules, community-based outreach, and targeted support programmes to improve inclusiveness.

Ilca Webster, ILO Specialist in Skills and Lifelong Learning, highlighted the long-term impact of aligning training with local economies: “By connecting skills development with emerging sectors like tourism and cacao production, we can strengthen livelihoods, empower communities, and foster resilient regional economies.”

A key focus of the consultation was the alignment of skills development with the region’s economic priorities. Stakeholders emphasized the importance of linking TVET programmes to opportunities in tourism, cacao and honey production, and eco-enterprise development sectors with strong potential to boost income, strengthen resilience, and expand sustainable livelihoods.

The validation process is expected to refine the diagnostic findings, strengthen alignment with value chain opportunities, and build consensus around priority interventions for the PROSPER Project’s next phase. Following the session, the MDCL team will integrate feedback into the final report. The refined recommendations will support the ILO and national partners in designing targeted interventions that improve TVET quality, access, and market relevance, ensuring that skills development drives economic empowerment across the region.

The research and validation process also created momentum for greater collaboration among TVET institutions, industry actors, and community organizations to jointly advance skills development in Southern Belize. The study brought together a wide range of partners, including Humana People to People, the Ministry of Labour & Rural Transformation, Toledo ITVET, Stann Creek ITVET, ANRI, George Town Technical High School, Independence High School, Maya Bags, POWA, Ligemeri Group, Julian Cho High School, Ecumenical High School, Belize Crafts LTD, BCCI, NTUCB, Tumil Kin, University of Belize, San Lucas, Corazon High School, and Home of Indigenous Art Belize.

Through the EU-funded ILO PROSPER Project, these collective efforts are paving the way for stronger TVET systems that support decent work, local value chains, and long-term sustainable development for Belize’s diverse communities.