By Floyd Scott

Technical Vocational Education and Training (TVET) has been proven as a mechanism to propel countries in alleviating poverty, creating jobs, bridging gaps within diverse social spaces, reducing social injustices, and enhancing innovation and creativity.
How has this mechanism impacted the Guyanese society?

TVET impacts every sector and profession, and can be used effectively to secure, improve and protect professions as an enabling national environment mechanism that is fashioned for Generations to adapt to as a platform to be globally competitive in every area of endeavor. Particularly, if we consider national development as the capacity of a nation to respond to its diverse challenges – economically, socially and socio-politically etc. – through, first and foremost, the effective involvement and participation of its populace in its economy.

TVET provides a valid and reliable pathway for national development by ensuring the needs of industry are met with the availability of competent and relevant skills. These skill levels and expectations are met and emphasised through the demonstration of job-related behaviours/attitudes and competencies to establish knowledge, understanding and use of existing technology, as well as awareness of new technology, which are not currently available for use.

Notably, these skill levels are standardised and are continually evaluated by the Council for Technical Vocational Education and Training (CTVET) – Guyana to ensure they are always aligned to national and industry needs and requirements. In the evaluation of the aforementioned behaviour and competencies, there are comparisons to global/international conditions and standards. Although, the general intent is to create a product which responds to national needs, the evaluation looks to position TVET trainees to interface, understand, and engage globally in a seamless manner with minimal or no limitations in any occupational area.

Countries, both developed and developing, which have seen economic and social transformation demonstrated by improved livelihoods, have gone through this trajectory and continue to use the TVET mechanism. Some of these countries are Australia, Singapore, Malaysia, which ensure TVET remains at the pinnacle of growth and social transformation within their spaces.

Debatably, Guyana has not aggressively taken advantage of the TVET mechanism to create sustainable livelihoods and a resilient populace. Nevertheless, the opportunities are still great for access to decent jobs and developing entrepreneurs in all sectors. There are many occupational and job opportunities within the TVET sphere, in Guyana, which have not been fully exploited nor explored. Persons can start taking advantage of some jobs/ occupations (existing, new and emerging), which have not been vigorously pursued, such as: Welding, Flame cutting, Carpentry, Masonry, Cobbler/Shoemaking or Repairing, Plumbing, Fabricating, Industrial Electrician, Motor-mechanic, Auto-electrician, Forklift-operator,

Staker-operator, Occupational Safety and Health officer, Beautician, Barber, Care-Givers/ Hospitality Aid, Servers, Housekeeper, Forestry Technician, Agronomy Technician, Baker, Bartender, Surveyor, Decorator, Data Entry Operator, Veterinary assistant, Incinerator Operator, Water Treatment Operator, Metal Furnace Operator, Photographer, Sewing Machine Operator, Cook/Caterer/ Chef, Library and Filing Clerk, Undertaker, Embalmer, Tourist Guide, Child Care Worker, Fire-fighter, Police Officer, Prison Guard/Corrections Officer, Rigger, Aircraft Technician, Radiation Tester, Drone inspector, Customer Service Attendant, Guest Care Attendant, Bi-Lingual Customer Service Representative all of which can be delivered or fused with Information Technology.

All TVET jobs/occupations provide the opportunity for immediate income/self-employment, and lifelong careers, along with the requisite foundation and platform for individuals to grow and become effective and efficient designers, engineers, lawyers, business owners, medical doctors, and entrepreneurs.

All TVET jobs/occupations are assessed and evaluated within a Qualification Framework which is designed to progressively indicate professional growth in the skill area. The qualification framework, also provides an alternative pathway to higher education, but compliments those who may have lacked hands on exposure and have practical limitations in the workplace and higher learnings.

However, recognition of qualification requires satisfying the established standards of the skill area, its required competencies and meeting the industry established performance criteria for the skill area.

Please note workplaces and sectors require persons who can demonstrate their ability to do the job and work tasks, thus adding and value adding to the workplace and sector. Hence, the Council for Technical Vocational Education and Training-Guyana evaluation services are geared to conform to industry and sector requirements and are not limited to Agriculture; Construction; Manufacturing; Tourism; Engineering; Oil and Gas …. All sectors are captured.

All jobs/occupations are directly related to sectors, which are directly linked and aligned to TVET. Each sector has a stake in the decisions of and for TVET, since each work /occupation/ job done within the sector has a title or designation. Additionally, each work/occupation/job is required to be recognized in accordance with the expectations and competency requirements for the job. The conversation on TVET must not be limited to what is being written here. But, must be recognised throughout the education spectrum from nursery to tertiary and in support of lifelong learning

All sectors and industries in Guyana should have a vested interest in the programmes, curriculum and the units of competencies being delivered and assessed for recognition in skill areas. Sector and industry involvement ensure that entities such as private sector and the Council for TVET, Universities and the Council for TVET, and productive government sectors and the Council for TVET play a lead role in creating an environment which provides sustained social justice, with a decent living opportunity. Consequently, there will be the creation of a safe, healthy, responsible, and respectful environment for all peoples. It is important for all Guyanese, especially workplaces, industries, community groups, churches and all organisations to embrace the TVET mechanism and understand the value, and be involved and contribute in the national and all –inclusive discussion on TVET. TVET could effectively provide job opportunities, as well as create businesses, for many of Guyana’s young people and by extension contribute to behavioral change, enhanced economic wellbeing and sustainable livelihoods and society as a whole.