THE Council for Technical, Vocational Education and Training (TVET) in collaboration with the International Labour Organisation (ILO), convened a workshop last week for Heads and Deputies of TVET institutions.

The purpose of the workshop, which took place on Friday at the National Racquet Centre, Woolford Avenue, was to brainstorm ways in which TVET training needs to adapt to the changes occurring in the global and local economy which are focussed on green and sustainable development.

According to a press release from the Ministry of Education, ILO Specialist, Dr. Hassan Ndahi said that the aims of the ILO, which was founded in 1919, is to promote the right to work, decent employment, enhanced social protection and strengthened dialogue on work-related issues.

He said that the ILO operates using a tripartite structure which involves employers, government and the workers. He said that dealing with societal issues has become more relevant today, given the global development framework of the green and sustainable development of the economy.

“TVET plays an important role in helping make transitions to low carbon economic resilience. It is carried out through the traditional role that we know for many years of preparing individuals for the workplace.”

He said that this traditional role is facing new expectations of adapting to emerging occupations. “As we know, because of changes in technology that is drawing a lot of the jobs that we do, there are new occupations that are emerging.”
Dr. Ndahi told the Principals of the TVET institutions that this change means that they must make changes to drive the process within their institutions and communities where vocational education is also delivered.

The Ministry said the objectives of the workshop is to share information on the background of the Guyana Green State Development Strategy, understand the definition of green skills, discuss the drivers and barriers to green skills and jobs and discuss the opportunities and challenges for green occupations.

It also examined information on programme and curricula development and ILO guidelines for a just transition towards environmentally sustainable economies and societies.
The release said Chairperson of CTVET, Mr. Jerry Simpson said that “greening” Guyana is similar to “greening” TVET, since TVET is responsible for training persons to gain employment. He said that the Council for TVET is standards-driven and is working to ensure that all training satisfy international standards. It said he commended the work of the Council for being accredited and being able to issue the Caribbean Vocational Qualification certificate.

Moreover, Minister of Education, Nicolette Henry said that the Government of Guyana is currently finalising its Green State Development Strategy (GSDS) and that this strategy will guide Guyana’s economic and socio-cultural development over the next 15 years. According to Minister Henry, the GSDS will provide a roadmap for achieving sustainable development goals and related targets.

“The objective of this long-term strategy will re-orient and diversify Guyana’s economy, reducing reliance on traditional sectors and opening up new sustainable business models, income streams and investment opportunities, providing an alternative opportunity for all Guyanese,” the press release quotes Minister Henry as saying.

According to the release, Minister Henry told the education stakeholders that the workshop is designed to deepen awareness and strengthen capacity as they collaborate to discuss and develop issues of Green Skills and the occupational needs of Guyana.