The Caribbean Association of National Training Authorities (CANTA) is seeking to review its constitution to prepare for the transformation of education/training systems, expected soon across the region.
This was relayed to members of that body on Monday night by the Executive Director of the Technical Vocational Education Training (TVET) Council, Henderson Eastmond, as he welcomed delegates to the official opening of the 32nd Meeting of CANTA, during a dinner at Hilton Barbados, Needham’s Point, St. Michael.
Speaking as Chairman of CANTA, Mr. Eastmond, noted that the revision would be among the several decisions to be made when the meeting concludes today, February 28.
Recalling that in 1990, CARICOM articulated a position on the development of TVET for the region, he said: “It was a position derived from regional consultations, including a CARICOM survey, which led to the development of the 1990 Regional Strategy for TVET.
“That position identified a need for the coordination and rationalisation of TVET and the move to establish a Caribbean Single Market and Economy (CSME), including proposals for the free movement of certified skilled labour. The position which was articulated prompted the national training agencies and TVET apex bodies in the region, such as the TVET councils to exploit the benefits of joint and concerted efforts.”
Pointing out that CANTA was established with the responsibility for coordinating TVET throughout CARICOM states, Mr. Eastmond said it was endorsed as the implementation arm of the CARICOM Regional Coordinating Mechanism for Technical Vocational Education and Training at the Ninth Meeting of the Council for Human and Social Development in October 2003, and launched in November 2003, in Jamaica.
“It is the platform from which positions on technical and vocational education and training can be clearly articulated and promoted across this region,” he said.
CANTA aims to promote the development of a competitive regional workforce, facilitate the free movement of certified skilled labour within the CSME, through the promotion of the uniformed provision of standards driven competency-based training, assessment and certification within CARICOM.
It also aims to support and promote the 2014 revised CARICOM Regional TVET Strategy for Workforce Development and Economic Competitiveness.