A Ministry of Education press release has said that the Technical, Vocational and Education Training (TVET) Centres are poised to continue providing quality training across Guyana to meet the increasing demand for persons who are certified, competent, and trainable.TVET covers those aspects of the education process involving the study of technologies and related sciences, and the acquisition of practical skills and general education. TVET also enables students to cultivate attitudes, understanding and knowledge relating to occupations in various sectors of the economy.

Essentially, the TVET programme was designed to contribute to the attainment of national goals for technical and vocational education and training, and to meet the changing demand for a skilled workforce. These include: meeting the need for highly skilled craftspersons and technicians through education and training during and after the secondary school level; making education and training opportunities available to all, regardless of ethnic origin, sex, scholastic ability, aptitude, or place of residence; helping to develop competencies needed for successful transition from school to work, with emphasis on leadership skills, personal employability skills and moral worth; ensuring that students/trainees acquire the competencies needed for employment or self-employment in occupations of their choice and for which there are employment opportunities; promoting programmes which are developed through collaboration with employers; and providing training or retraining for workers whose skills and technical knowledge must be updated, as well as those whose jobs might be made redundant due to increasing efficiency, automation, or economic change.

The release details that a number of persons have continued on to the University of Guyana and were able to pursue careers in various disciplines, including the legal and medical professions.

The Ministry’s focus on developing a well versed workforce speaks to its commitment to Guyana’s human development, the release posits.

The Ministry recognizes that a country with a certified and knowledge-based workforce is an economy that shows significant growth potential; and with links and partnerships with the various sectors and industries, TVET institutions and the formal education system can achieve education and training for sustainable development.

Through the Council for TVET, the Education Ministry has been working with counterparts in the Caribbean to implement a certification programme that would allow graduates to work in any Caribbean territory through the Caribbean Vocational Qualification (CVQ). This certification is based on rigorous quality assurance guidelines set up by the Caribbean Association of National Training Authorities, the technical arm of Caricom, and is also internationally benchmarked.
Among the wide range of occupational subjects offered at the TVET Centres are: Plumbing, Light Motor Vehicle, Heavy Duty Operation and Maintenance, Agriculture Machinery, Metal Work Engineering, Fabrication and Welding, Electrical Installation, Carpentry, Furniture making, Commercial Food Preparation, General Cosmetology, Computer & Data Operation, Masonry, Administrative Principles and Practices, Office Administration, Refrigeration and Air Conditioning, Land Surveying, Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Civil and Building Construction, Science, Telecommunication, Arts and Crafts (Fibre Arts, Surface decoration, Leather Craft), Crop and Soil, and Garment Construction.

These TVET programmes are currently being offered at Centres in Regions 2 (Essequibo Technical Institute); 3 (Leonora Technical Institute); 4 (GTI and Carnegie School of Home Economics); 5 (Mahaicony Technical Institute), 6 (Upper Corentyne Technical Institute and New Amsterdam Technical Institute); and 10 (Linden Technical Institute). Registration is currently ongoing, and application forms are available at all the Institutes. Anyone 15 years and over, who may wish to upgrade a current skill or learn a new skill; may not have completed school; or may be working but without a certificate, is eligible to apply for admission to a programme of their choice.

The Ministry of Education wishes to advise that studying at any TVET Centre nationwide is free of cost.