An Education Needs Assessment of CARIFORUM Firms

a focus on building the capacity of music managers and artists specifically in the areas of business. It addresses the use of digital platforms, intellectual property (IP), distribution and promotion (Caribbean Export Development Agency n.d.). In 2021, Caribbean Export conducted BOM training in Trinidad and Tobago and Belize with over 60 industry practitioners. From the Belize session participants were supported in the creation of music and video production for increased exports (Beltraide 2021). The Canada-CARICOM Skills Training for the Green Economy Scholarships provide students from the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) member states with short-term exchange opportunities at publicly funded Canadian colleges and institutes (Canada Global Affairs 2020). The scholarships support study in programs or disciplines related to the green economy, which include but are not limited to climate-smart agriculture, coastal and fisheries management, renewable energy, sustainable building techniques, and agro-forestry (Canada Global Affaris 2020). Commonwealth of Learning (COL) The Commonwealth of Learning (COL) Skills for Work initiative is aimed at closing the skills gap for in demand and high-demand jobs in commonwealth nations (Commonwealth of Learning 2022). Commonwealth of Learning (COL) has partnered with Grow with Google, Coursera and Udemy to offer the Skills for Work Certification program which will enable youth and adults in a number of CARIFORUM countries to access high quality skill development courses provided through world’s leading e-learning platforms, such as, Coursera and Udemy (Commonwealth of Learning 2022). COL offers three different certification programmes under the Skills for Work Initiative: - COL-Grow with Google Skills for Work Certification Program - COL-Coursera Skills for Work Certification Program - COL-Udemy Skills for Work Certification Program The CARICOM Digital Skills Task Force will begin a series of public virtual Consultations with the aim of in future developing a robust digital skills programme for CARICOM citizens (CARICOM 2022a).

• Canada-CARICOM Skills Training for the Green Economy Scholarships

• CARICOM Digital Skills Programme (soon to be developed)

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Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) Programmes

Together, 11 CARIFORUM countries have issued a total of 38,918 CVQs. Most of these certifications were level 1 (Directly Supervised/Entry – Level Worker) (88%), whereas employers generally prefer graduates with higher level National Vocational Qualifications (NVQs) / Caribbean Vocational Qualification (CVQs) with higher technical capabilities (ILO 2020).

• The Antigua and Barbuda National Training Agency (ABNTA)

ABNTA has not issued any NVQ / CVQ certification. The ABICE, an entity under the MOE, conducts training in TVET related disciplines. However, it awards its own certification, endorsed by the Antigua and Barbuda Accreditation Board (ABAB) and not the NVQ / CVQ. • Barbados Technical and Vocational Education and Training Council / National Training Agency Information on the employment status of graduates of the system is limited since the Council does not conduct tracer studies or document such data. Skills training programmes generated 875 CVQs, an indication that the system might be under-performing, when contextualized against the total of 38,918 CVQs issued collectively. • The National Council for Technical and Vocational Training and Education (NCTVET) - Belize No CVQ programmes are being pursued. There are no tracer studies providing statistics on the employment status of graduates of the TVET system and the NVQ. • The Technical and Vocation Education and Training (TVET) Council of Dominica The institutional and legislative framework to guide the TVET system are essentially not in place. There were no statistics on the employment of graduates of the TVET system, neither from the TVET Council, the Dominica Employers’ Federation (DEF), nor Dominica Amalgamated Workers’ Union (DAWU). • The Grenada Council for Technical and Vocational Education and Training (GCTVET)

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