Over 200 participants have successfully completed a thorough vocational education training course aimed at improving the developmental skills of youth in the community.
The graduation ceremony, hosted at the National Cultural Centre, marked the successful conclusion of yet another significant low-cost training programme.
The Human Capital Resilience Project (HCRP) tackles skills gaps in multiple industries, greatly improving individuals’ employability through vital access to vocational training and education.
Project Manager Dr. Ruthina Frederick acknowledged the essential support from the government and highlighted the important role of Technical, Vocational, Education, and Training (TVET) in the development of human resources.
Ongoing commitment to the well-being of Saint Lucians is essential. Schools have been equipped with over $1.5 million worth of industry-standard equipment, which serves as an essential enhancement to training.
This programme benefits 100 students from the National Skills Development Center (NSDC) and 300 from the Sir Arthur Lewis Community College (SALCC), along with participants from Post-Secondary Education in Vieux Fort and the Bordelais Correctional Facility (BCF).
Monroe University has effectively partnered on this project, contributing to the organization of over 500 individual training sessions. The government has completely funded tuition fees, childcare, transportation, and assessments for participants in the programme, showcasing a strong dedication to education and skill development.
This project, supported by the government of Saint Lucia and the World Bank (WB), seeks to advance participants in entrepreneurship and facilitate their integration into the national workforce. Nevertheless, attention is drawn to the matter of gender disparity: merely 40 out of the 235 graduates, which constitutes 21%, are male.
Education Minister Shawn Edward has emphasized the importance of providing equal opportunities for both male and female participants to promote productivity and progress.
“We must work together-government, academia, industry leaders, and community organizations- to dismantle barriers and encourage more young men to pursue TVET certification,” the education minister stated.
Minister Edward emphasized the government’s steadfast dedication to workforce development.