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The Ministry of Labour, Social Security and Human Resource Development has commenced a skills need assessment of the agriculture and fisheries sectors to identify the human resources and training needed to make them more modern and efficient.

The assessment is being conducted by the Ministry of Labour’s Human Resource Development Programme Implementation Unit, in collaboration with the Ministry of Agriculture, Food, Fisheries and Water Resource Management.

The assessment would inform an education and training strategy for the sectors and the development of relevant, demand-driven competency- based programmes.  It is envisioned that increased food security along with the export of quality agricultural products would be addressed under the new strategy.

The evaluation would also review current education and training programmes at the secondary, post-secondary and tertiary level and highlight opportunities for employment, entrepreneurship and investment in agriculture and fisheries.

Presently, there is limited information on the current number of farmers and other related agents in both sectors and on labour market needs and skills deficits.  In this connection, labour market surveys will be conducted involving farmers, agro-processors, education and training institutions and other relevant stakeholders. The information would also support the development of national vocational qualifications.

Strengthening the agricultural and fisheries sectors is one of the categories within Pillar 5 of the Human Resources Development Strategy and places emphasis on developing a more modern agricultural sector.

The Strategy is a collaborative effort between the Ministry of Labour and the Ministry of Education, Science, Technology and Innovation, with funding from the European Union.

julie.carrington@barbados.gov.bb

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