By: Spokesman Newsroom
BASSETERRE, St. Kitts (Wednesday, 13th November 2024)-The St. Kitts and Nevis Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) Council is empowering skilled individuals to gain formal recognition through a program that assesses prior learning and experience.
Chief Executive Officer of the TVET Council Secretariat, Dr. Kertney Thompson, shared details about such in a recent interview with Ian Richards on an episode of ‘In Focus’ by the St.Kitts-Nevis Information Service (SKNIS) on the topic ‘Empowering Sustainable Development Through Education and Vocational Training’ on Wednesday 13th November 2024.
The Prior Learning and Assessment Recognition programme allows individuals with on-the-job experience to be evaluated against industry standards and potentially receive certification without undergoing traditional classroom training.
Speaking to the value of PLAR, Dr. Thompson said, “What we would do is basically take someone who has experience out there in the field… and you basically assess them against a set of industry-developed standards… We certify them, validate that they can do it. And we certify them, validate that they can do it.
Dr. Thompson explained that the TVET Council assesses skills in fields as varied as carpentry, mechanics, and masonry. Skilled tradespeople are evaluated based on practical demonstrations of their abilities.
“They can demonstrate it in real time or if they have work related videos and those things that we could use to show that yes, that person could actually do that,” he noted.
He went on to say: “For example, with a mason, if it says, if part of the job says, well, obviously part of the job is going to be, you have to be able to run blocks. You have to be able to put up a wall, a certain length, and it has to be within standard, within specification. So if you have a video showing that, we could use that as evidence against that or if they don’t have anything, we could actually go on the job and watch them do it to sign off and say, yes, that person is competent in that area. And with a TVET certification like this, it’s not they go to school, someone lectures, they take a written test. They have to demonstrate that they could actually perform this work.”
According to Dr. Thompson: “So if you say you’re a mechanic and you have to replace a transmission, you’re going to have to replace a transmission. You have to show you can replace the transmission. So when you do go for an interview, now you’re not telling the employer that, yeah, I know how to install the transmission. You could actually tell them, I can actually install the transmission. I can demonstrate to you how it’s done, and I can actually do it in real time. And you have your certification. And you have your certification to prove it.”
“With a TVET certification like this, it’s not that they go to school, someone lectures, they take a written test. They have to demonstrate that they could actually perform this work,” he emphasized.
Beyond providing certification, TVET in St. Kitts and Nevis has broader goals. In his conversation with Richards, Dr. Thompson defined TVET in 2024 as a cornerstone of national development.
“TVET is a driver for economic development. It’s a way of ensuring that we have a workforce that is highly skilled and certified for the world of work. And here in St. Kitts and Nevis, that’s our goal-pushing TVET into those higher stream areas that can really drive the sustainable development of St. Kitts and Nevis.”
Dr. Thompson highlighted, individuals with skills certification can enhance their professional standing, particularly in government roles where qualifications can influence pay scales.
“Someone who’s been working, let’s take [the] water department, for example, [who has] been working as a linesman or whatever, and may not have a particular certification…might be able to get appointed to a different scale based on those types of certifications.”
As informed, the TVET Council, which was established under the Education Act of 2005, is tasked with advising the Minister of Education on matters relating to technical and vocational training.
The Council, comprising representatives from key industries like tourism, construction, workers unions including the St.Kitts-Nevis Trades and Labour Union, and the Clarence Fitzroy Bryant College (CFBC), brings a wide range of expertise to guide the development of the workforce.
Dr. Thompson also touched on the Council’s ambitious plans for growth, noting, “We have a robust work plan. A lot of things to do within these three years.”
As understood, since Dr. Thompson began leading the Secretariat nearly a decade ago, he has overseen transformative changes, implementing quality assurance, certification, and monitoring systems that have laid the foundation for St. Kitts and Nevis’ skilled workforce to thrive.
Notably, the PLAR programme reflects the Council’s commitment to inclusivity, as it allows individuals who might not have pursued formal education to gain valuable credentials based on their skills and experience.
Dr. Thompson remarked: “It is in today’s age very important… to have that certification,” whilst pointing out that the TVET certification validates an individual’s expertise, enabling them to present a recognized qualification when seeking employment or advancement.
The TVET Council is currently hosting a month of activities.