An Education Needs Assessment of CARIFORUM Firms

the associate degree level, there is a lack of programs focused on maritime transport with

an emphasis on export industries (USAID 2020).

• Green Economy/Renewable Energy

The transition towards green economy frameworks is accelerating across the region. The

International Labour Organi sation’s Skills for Green Jobs in Barbados (2018 study) and

Guyana (2017 study) identified existing and future skills demand green jobs across these

two countries (see Table 8). The Bridging the Skills Gap in the Caribbean 2017 Report

highlighted similar skills needs for developing the sustainable energy sector, highlighting

the need for practical skills, ICT skills to build a smart green economy, training in

sustainable energy technologies (PV installation, energy auditing, etc.), skilled technicians

at various levels capable of designing, developing, installing, operating,

advising,

maintaining, and managing sustainable energy systems, and training in sustainable energy

related policy design and developments (Schoolderman, Bicer, and Valencia 2017).

Table 8: Skills Needs for Green Jobs

Barbados’ Skills Needs for Green Jobs

Existing Skills Demand •

Future Skills Demand •

Electricians (certified), with alternate and direct current knowledge Electrical and Mechanical Engineers Solar PV Design with the ability to understand electrical code compliance Site Assessors able to use satellite imagery PV installers with the ability to read and understand drawings & skills using hand tools Energy Auditor able to conduct audits, sound scientific knowledge, familiarity with system dynamics Energy Conservation and energy efficiency

Non-roof installers (ground/pole/ballast)

• Mechanics with the ability to work on electric batteries and fuel cell technology • Knowledge of hybrid systems • PV Designers able to design batteries and off grid systems • Micro grid knowledge (energy resource, generation, loads and boundaries) • Knowledge of wind turbine technology, with marine and aquatic skills, vertical wind technology • Smart grid technology • Knowledge of waste energy systems (science of anaerobic digestion processes and related systems) • Engineering Designers with retrofit design knowledge for sustainability (RE/EE, air flow and quality, wastewater reuse, etc.) • Electrical and computer skills for energy management systems to automatically manage solar, AC, DC, and grid connectivity • Smart metering knowledge and training

• •

•

•

•

•

•

Plumbers’ knowledge of solar heating systems

• •

IT Networking Skills

Sound knowledge of inverter and converter systems Knowledge of construction standards and practices

•

•

Health and safety training

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