The Ministry of Education, Science, Technology and Innovation has welcomed the cooperation between the Samuel Jackman Prescod Polytechnic (SJPP) and one of Canada???s premier training institutions, Sault College.
Chief Education Officer (CEO), Laurie King, speaking at the recent signing ceremony of the memorandum of understanding between the two entities, stressed that such educational partnerships offered tremendous benefits to all involved and were always fruitful and rewarding.??
???Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) is a key pillar in the economic development of Barbados. TVET and skills training are essential to job creation and empowerment of young people and the creation of an effective, skilled and productive workforce.
???These skills are vital for poverty reduction, economic recovery and sustainable development. As a consequence, policy attention to TVET is increasing worldwide. Countries with emerging economies have seen the value in TVET towards economic growth,??? he explained.
The CEO while acknowledging that over the years Barbados had seen a significant increase in the number of educational partnerships, stressed that these had continued to contribute significantly to the development of young people here. Expressing the belief that the Sault/SJPP relationship would continue in this mode, he said the development of the island???s human resource would contribute significantly to the building of a world class workforce.
Noting the benefits likely to accrue to students, instructors, the college and polytechnic as well as Barbados, Mr. King said: ???These benefits include better acceptance and understanding of diverse students and their families, higher achievement and motivation to learn among students.???
While welcoming the opportunity for the country to be assisted with the delivery of the Caribbean Vocational Qualification programme in renewable energy, the CEO said it should see the building of capacity of the staff of the SJPP in this field.??
???As this country continues to battle with high energy costs, initiatives such as this can only benefit the country in the long term. This will be as a result of the Samuel Jackman Prescod Polytechnic graduating students armed with the knowledge, skills and attitudes necessary to contribute to building a renewable energy society.???
Sault College, located in Ste. Marie, Ontario, Canada, is that country???s most highly recognised training institution in the field of renewable energy.
joy-ann.gill@barbados.gov.bb