More than 300 Saint Lucians have taken a major step toward improving their employment prospects and technical skills, following their successful participation in the Human Capital Resilience Programme (HCRP), hosted by the Sir Arthur Lewis Community College (SALCC) in partnership with the Ministry of Education.
A graduation ceremony was held on Thursday, July 17, 2025, to celebrate the accomplishments of trainees who completed practical, hands-on training aligned with Caribbean Vocational Qualification (CVQ) and Caribbean Basic Qualification (CBQ) standards. The initiative is part of the broader Saint Lucia Human Capital Resilience Project, funded by the World Bank.
Participants received instruction and assessment across several high-demand occupational areas. These included Level 1 certifications in food preparation, motor vehicle maintenance, carpentry, and wall and floor tiling, as well as Level 2 certifications in plumbing and painting and decorating. While some trainees await the finalization of portfolio assessments for full CVQ certification, all were recognized with certificates of completion or participation.
SALCC Principal Dr. Madgerie Jameson-Charles commended the graduates on their achievements and encouraged them to view this milestone as the beginning of a lifelong learning journey.
“Excellence is not a destination—it’s an ongoing pursuit,” she said. “You’ve shown perseverance and commitment. Your certifications represent not just technical skills but also employability and life-readiness that will serve you well across the Caribbean.”
Chairman of the SALCC Board of Governors, Mr. Cletus Springer, shared powerful reflections on the value of self-reliance and resilience. He praised the graduates for their determination and urged them to take pride in the practical skills they’ve acquired.
“Your stories are stories of resilience,” he said. “The more things you are able to do for yourself, the richer your life will be. This is what true independence looks like—this is nation-building in action.”
The Human Capital Resilience Programme is part of a wider national push to enhance workforce readiness and sustainable development through technical and vocational education. It also signals SALCC’s ongoing commitment to providing training that meets real-world demands and equips individuals for economic participation at both the local and regional levels.
As graduates prepare to enter or advance in the workforce, SALCC expressed its sincere gratitude to the instructors, assessors, mentors, support staff, and institutional partners whose dedication helped bring the program to fruition.