Minister of Education, Ronald Jones

Come next year, Barbados will see its first batch of graduates with the National Vocational Qualification (NVQ).

According to Minister of Education and Human Resource Development, Ronald Jones, “Government is progressing well with the NVQ.”

Mr. Jones said that 10 secondary schools were currently involved in the rolling out process. “There are some schools that have started subjects such as carpentry and masonry. In addition, we are continuing to train our teachers as assessors. Plans are also ongoing for the establishment of the Samuel Jackman Prescod Polytechnic as an assessment centre,” he added.

Stressing the importance of students being well-rounded, the Education Minister highlighted the role of the NVQ in this process. “What will happen is that because of the particular learning aptitudes of students, they will now have wider options to follow various paths within the school system…The NVQ is in fact an important component of the Ministry’s aim to improve the education system in Barbados,” he pointed out.

The National Vocational Qualification certifies the skills, knowledge and understanding an individual possesses in a specific area of work. The NVQ will signify that the person to whom it is awarded has met the established national standards for an occupational or work role. The award is granted to persons who demonstrate the competencies embodied in the standards for an occupational area.

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