A cadre of persons from the private and public sectors are learning to teach CVQ subjects.

The training will educate persons to assist in properly assessing Caribbean Vocational Qualifications (CVQ) in Dominica and Antigua.

Those participating in the training are from engineering, garment production, hospitality and building construction sectors.

Dr. Paulette Dunn-Pierre is a Regional Consultant for Technical and Vocational Education and Training.

She explained, “We want to build the capacity of the TVET professionals here in Dominica so we have a two-week exercise to develop the tools to be able to train others. It is important that we start at the beginning and the beginning is training trainers. Having concluded this exercise, they will now be able to train others.”

Dunn-Pierre explained further that a number of areas will be addressed. She listed competency-based education and training; adult learning; teaching styles, and individual learning styles.

With the introduction of the Caribbean Single Market and Economy, CVQs are becoming vital if citizens are to be able to move freely within the region.

Marlyn Jean-Jacques from Caribbean Apparel represents the garment industry and feels that this sort of training is needed for the industry.

She opined that students may have CXC 1_s in Clothing and Textiles and enter the workplace claiming sewing ability but are in fact unable to handle the practical.

“CVQ is about that – a test and measure so at the end of it, when you say you can do it, you can do it.”

The Goodwill Secondary School has been a pilot school for CVQs and is taking part in the training as well.

One of its teachers, Vilma Samuel says students should feel proud to be certified in any skill.

“At the end of the day, persons who are self-employed with skills [may] make more money than bank workers. I always tell my students that when you have a skill, nobody can take it away from you. You can have a full-time job and your skilled job.

“If students are assessed and have their certificates at the end of the [skills training], it will do so much for them, the community and country,” Samuel believes.

The Government of Dominica has been instrumental in the introduction of technical and vocational education and training in the curriculums in schools, and is seeking to develop an institute to offer TVET with accreditation from the Dominica State College.

Lecturer at the Dominica State College, Allan Morris, says this speaks volumes for the College and that Government is to be commended for the initiative.

“I think it’s very interesting that the Government of Dominica is looking to improve the TVET atmosphere in Dominica. Having the Dominica State College onboard as one of the major institutions especially with it being the centre of excellence in education is a great advantage to the Government and people of Dominica.

Morris added,”As a Master Trainer, it arms me with more improved and modernized techniques as to how to deal with young adults.”

He sees another benefit in the DSC being able to train more persons from wider society. Not just classroom learners.

By the end of exercise, 13 persons will be trained instructors.