The Organisation of Japanese Caribbean States (OECS) Fee with a 17-member delegation comprised of Ministers of Schooling, Everlasting Secretaries, Administrators of Schooling, OECS Fee representatives and European Union representatives has accomplished a two-week European Technical and Vocational Schooling and Coaching (TVET) examine tour in Germany and the Netherlands. The examine tour was funded by the European Union.
The main goal of the examine tour was to contribute to the socio-economic development of the OECS via a top quality training system that permits learners of all ages to succeed in their fullest potential, in alignment with the OECS Strategic Priorities to advance fairness and inclusion in addition to reinvent the financial system i.e., contribute to the transformation of the OECS’ economies to change into globally aggressive. This exercise contributes to the OECS-Education Sector Strategy 2012-2026: Strategic Crucial VII: Present alternatives for all learners in Technical and Vocational Schooling and Coaching (TVET) and aligns with the OECS Declaration on Education.
The examine tour offered delegates with the chance to have interaction in significant discussions with trainees and employers with a view to find out about their views of the Twin System which mixes classroom training with hands-on apprenticeship. The delegates visited coaching centres, colleges and enterprises and had been in a position to examine the roles of various private and non-private actors of TVET methods in addition to achieve perception into the rights, duties and challenges of actors and stakeholders. Furthermore, they had been in a position to focus on varied features of TVET particularly the financing of TVET with related stakeholders and determine challenges and alternatives for TVET coverage growth, on the nationwide and regional (OECS) degree.
Reflecting on the examine tour, Senator, the Honourable David E. Andrew, Minister for Schooling, Youth, Sports activities and Tradition with accountability for Schooling, Grenada said:
“The understanding of the TVET system in Germany and the Netherlands brings nice enlightenment. TVET shouldn’t be a second tier choice in training. It responds to and is pushed by the labour market. It must be extra prominently featured in our system. With shared challenges by way of lack of assets, small inhabitants and land area, the OECS has a superb alternative to meaningfully collaborate within the growth of our TVET programmes, methods and methods throughout the area.”Additionally providing insights on the go to, the Honourable Curtis King Minister of Schooling and Reconciliation, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines famous:
“This was an incredible expertise. We had been afforded alternatives for sharing concepts, greatest practices, and establishing contacts for future networking initiatives.”Mrs. Sisera Simon, Head of the Human and Social Division, OECS Fee, and a member of the delegation, remarked:
“TVET will proceed to be a precedence for the OECS Fee and a important subsequent step is growing a broad roadmap for TVET with the help of Member States and growth companions. ”
Ms. Ashma Mc Dougall, a youth consultant from the Commonwealth of Dominica and a youth delegate on the tour noticed that:
“This go to has offered an anchor of hope of how the transformation of our TVET construction can contribute to optimistic outcomes for youth throughout the OECS area.”
Moreover, in summarizing the learnings for the TVET examine tour and what’s required for a shift within the Mindset to TVET within the OECS, Programme Supervisor (Schooling) Communications Coordinator -Delegation of the European Union, Dr. Stephen Boyce describes six A’s for creating a brand new TVET expertise within the area: attractiveness, autonomy, allocation, accountability, ambition and accessibility.
Subsequent Steps
Upon return to the area the Ministers and their technical officers are anticipated to develop a practical county-level motion plan for implementation of a particular apply noticed from the tour.
The returning delegates can even kind a Regional TVET Suppose Tank and keep a Neighborhood of Follow to proceed to share and change information and greatest practices.
Moreover, it’s anticipated that the TVET contributors from the area will develop sensible, country-level motion plans based mostly on the TVET practices in Europe for implementation throughout the subsequent six (6) months.
Key Highlights of the Research Tour:
- Discovery of the German Twin System: Publicity to the famend German Twin System, a extremely acclaimed mannequin that mixes classroom training with hands-on apprenticeships. Members witnessed first-hand how this technique fosters seamless transitions from training to employment and discovered find out how to adapt its ideas to the OECS context.
- Dutch Improvements in TVET: Publicity to the cutting-edge improvements in TVET from the Netherlands. Members visited state-of-the-art coaching centres and discovered about their progressive approaches to expertise growth, corresponding to industry-driven curriculum design and robust collaboration between instructional establishments and employers.
- Engagement with Business Specialists: Members gained insights into efficient governance, high quality assurance, and employer engagement to reinforce the TVET ecosystem within the OECS.
- Networking Alternatives: OECS contributors had the chance to construct worthwhile connections with their European counterparts, strengthen collaborations, foster information change, and discover potential partnerships to drive TVET developments within the OECS.
- Cultural Immersion: Guided metropolis excursions and networking dinners helped to contextualise the European expertise.
