The Ministry of Education, Sustainable Development, Innovation, Science, Technology and Vocational Training through the Saint Lucia Human Capital Resilience Project (SLHCRP) funded by the World Bank conducted a six-month Labour Market Needs Assessment Survey, which commenced May 2024. The Labour Market Needs Assessment Survey was geared towards assessing the labour market in Saint Lucia to obtain data that can be used to increase the relevance of Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) offerings. The initiative supported the Government of Saint Lucia’s vision to improve the relevant skills in selected sectors for the labour market and increase the efficiency and coverage of the Social Protection (SP) system.  

The SLHCRP selected Canadian-based firm, Dunn Pierre Barnett & Company Canada Limited to collect information about the current academic offerings of national training institutions and the needs of the Saint Lucia market, identified the skills gaps within the main economic sectors, projected future skill requirements based on national, regional and international trends and recommend ways for national training institutions to adjust their academic offerings to meet labour market needs, locally and overseas. A cadre of highly skilled international experts from Dunn Pierre Barnett & Canada Company Limited were involved in the 2024 Saint Lucia Labour Market Needs Assessment. They were Dr. Justine Pierre (Team Leader, Labour Market Specialist and Statistician), Dr. Paulette Dunn-Pierre (TVET Specialist) and Dr. Philomen Harrison (Economist and Statistician). 

The Labour Market Needs Assessment Survey (LMNAS) is  centered on a sustainable and inclusive agenda that strives to ensure “No One is Left Behind.” Guided by Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) 8 and 17, the survey acknowledges that achieving sustainable and inclusive economic growth is essential for driving progress, enhancing living standards, generating decent work for everyone, and providing young people with critical skills through education and training services. 

Several recommendations were made to transform Saint Lucia’s labor market. Firstly, there is a need to replace the current Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) programs with updated training programs that are relevant and in-demand by the workforce. Secondly, it is essential to promote higher qualifications and competitive salaries. Lastly, strengthening the organizational capacity of medium-sized firms is vital, as this will position them as attractive employment options for new hires. The survey indicated that these organizations have reported modest increases in job creation compared to both small and larger firms. 

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