Government has secured some 50 million euros for the implementation of the Human Resource Development (HRD) Strategy.

This was disclosed by Minister of Labour, Social Security and Human Resource Development, Senator Dr. Esther Byer Suckoo, who added that a governance structure which would assist in the management of the project had also been developed.

Speaking at the Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) Council???s Employer Awards ceremony at the Accra Beach Hotel last Friday, she stressed that the success of the strategy hinged on the full involvement of the private sector, particularly their knowledge and advice on ???the needs of industry???.

???This is necessary so that we can ensure that the national qualifications framework which we develop will be comprehensive. It will also ensure that our vocational qualifications and our education and training courses are developed in the most relevant and critical subject areas. It makes no sense educating and training people in areas that serve no purpose in the real world,??? she noted.

Senator Byer Suckoo added that such support would also ensure that the labour market system provided the most accurate information, that the country could support the level of innovation needed to generate economic gains and allow Barbados to maximise the benefits of the project to the fullest.

She urged Barbadians to view the HRD Strategy not as a government project but a national initiative which the country needed.

The Labour Minister also urged employers to continue to support technical and vocational training, revealing that the Barbados Vocational Training Board???s Apprenticeship Scheme would be revamped and expanded.

The aim of the Human Resource Development Strategy is to ensure that the local training and education system creates a cadre of Barbadians who are competent and creative and who possess a wide diversity of skills which can drive economic activity, particularly in new areas.

It is expected that implementation of the strategy would strengthen Barbados??? human capital so employers could benefit from a better trained, more competent and productive labour force.

andre.skeete@barbados.gov.bb

Pin It on Pinterest