Consideration may soon be given to the award of scholarships in the area of technical and vocational training to successful students at the Samuel Jackman Prescod Institute of Technology (SJPI).
This was alluded to last Saturday when Minister of Education, Technological and Vocational Training, Kay McConney, addressed the SJPI’s Graduation Class of 2022, at the Wildey Gymnasium, Wildey, St. Michael.
Commending the students on their success amid the COVID-19 pandemic, she assured them that Government recognised technical and vocational training as becoming more and more “the interface between learning and livelihoods and between education and the world of work”.
Adding that it was anticipated that the majority of jobs emerging over the next several years would require technical and vocational qualifications, the Minister said: “And so you all are right on track in terms of your focus at this particular time. And, in recognition of the significance that technical and vocational training will continue to have in this country, our Government is now considering how best we might be able to elevate the profile of technical and vocational training to the similar profile of that of some of the other scholarships that we offer on the academic side of things.
“It is time that technical and vocational training was elevated to be on par with every other recognition and reward that this country offers – that is a scholarship.”
The graduation ceremony was held under the theme Rising Together, Conquering the World. Noting that it was apt, Ms. McConney commended students for working through the pandemic and acknowledged that throughout it there had been a spirit of collaboration within the SJPI, and a “oneness of effort” where they were “all pushing together or pulling together”.
She noted that the students would contribute to the development of the country and remarked: “I sincerely hope that you will carry the name of this institution with pride into your life not only for the training that it has given you, [but also] for the way in which you intend to lift it through the excellence you will demonstrate as you go into the real world.”
They were also reminded of the need to be accountable for their collective and individual actions and to act as if they are their brothers’ keeper.
Meanwhile, Principal of the SJPI, Ian Drakes, noting the impact of the pandemic on students and staff this semester, said though they tried to retain all students, some factors contributed to a number of them withdrawing from classes.
However, he revealed that the SJPI was able to provide technical and vocational education and training for 1,360 students during the 2021-2022 academic year – 693 in the full-time division, and 667, part-time.
A total of 1,149 students graduated from the institution. This included 635 students, who received both full and partial certification over the seven full-time divisions, and 514 in the part-time. Approximately 207 of the full-time students received a merit or distinction in their studies.
Pointing out that it represented one third of the graduands for the full-time complement, Mr. Drakes commended them, adding: “I hope you can look back at the time spent at the institution during the pandemic, and think of your resilience as an individual. Remember this time and that at your toughest point you had the support of your family and friends…. never give up and keep persevering. After all, you succeeded in gaining an education during a pandemic.”