Private sector perspectives are driving the next wave of innovation.
During a dynamic Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States OECS Skills and Innovation Project (OECS SKIP) engagement session, business representatives actively presented strong ideas to enhance training, boost employability, and create a more responsive skills ecosystem for Saint Lucia.
The message was unequivocal: innovation flourishes when the private sector is invested. With their collaboration, the OECS SKIP is well-positioned to unlock new pathways for students, empower entrepreneurs, and build a workforce ready for the future.
This partnership is not only appreciated; it is essential. The Government of Saint Lucia, through the OECS Skills and Innovation Project (OECS SKIP), is committed to advancing a competitive, innovative, and opportunity-driven economy.
Launched in December 2024, the OECS SKIP supports skills development, enterprise growth, and robust partnerships among educators, entrepreneurs, and the private sector.
The project will enhance Saint Lucia’s capacity for innovation and entrepreneurship through targeted training, collaboration with post-secondary institutions, and the upcoming Matching Grants Programme set to launch in 2026.
By working closely with national stakeholders — including businesses, post-secondary training institutions like the Sir Arthur Lewis Community College (SALCC) and the National Skills Development Centre (NSDC), development partners, and community organizations — the project is forging a more adaptive workforce and a stronger environment for development.
A fundamental aspect of the OECS Skills and Innovation Project (SKIP) is the enhancement of post-secondary institutions and collaborative innovation.
This will be achieved through the implementation of Regional Enhancement Plans (REPs), which will develop capacity for strategic planning and create state-of-the-art learning environments.
Private sector engagement is crucial for cultivating a thriving innovation ecosystem.
Under the OECS Skills and Innovation Project, collaboration between students and educators at SALCC and NSDC, alongside the private sector, will be facilitated through a Matching Grants Programme launching in 2026.
A recent week-long mission conducted consultations and capacity-building meetings in Saint Lucia, uniting government partners, post-secondary institutions, innovators, business support organizations, and key players in the private sector.
A standout feature of this mission was the robust participation from the private sector, whose insights are vital in designing a responsive, competitive, and opportunity-driven environment for innovation and entrepreneurship.
Their eagerness to engage underscores the necessity of public–private partnerships in shaping a modern innovation landscape. The findings and recommendations gathered during this mission will directly inform the next steps for enhancing the Innovation Division’s capacity, fostering a more inclusive, youth-focused, and future-ready ecosystem.
A recent focus group successfully brought key partners together to bridge information gaps and support the project’s next steps.
A Government of Saint Lucia spokesperson stated, “We have completed a productive week of site visits, discovery sessions, and stakeholder engagement with our partners at the Sir Arthur Lewis Community College (SALCC), the National Skills Development Centre (NSDC), and across the education and labor sectors.”