Growth & Jobs | TVET makes you employable, says Reid

Minister of Education, Youth and Information Senator Ruel Reid has said that technical and vocational education and training (TVET) is the most practical avenue for acquiring readily employable skills for the world of work.

Addressing the fifth staging of the National TVET Quality Awards for Secondary Schools at The Jamaica Pegasus hotel, in New Kingston, last Friday, Reid said that Jamaica and the wider world needs skilled and competent workers to fill skill gaps in various sectors.

Some of the sectors include building and construction, power and energy plants, water distribution and sanitation systems, hospitality, and agro-processing.

"In addition, we need highly skilled technical personnel to drive the agenda of transforming our economy through value-addition to primary commodities and natural resources," the minister said.

Reid argued that a well-developed and functioning TVET system is best placed to train the skilled workforce which Jamaica needs to address its socio-economic development challenges.

To this end, he said that the ministry would continually strive to improve the relevance and quality of training, integrate ICT into TVET, and ensure flexibility of training and life-long learning in TVET provision.

The minister lauded the work and contribution of teachers and students in the technical and vocational areas.

Reid said that the ministry's policy would continue to encourage the alignment of skills development and training delivery with industry priorities.

Great Things

"We are on the cusp of great things happening in the TVET sector. The awards you are receiving today should encourage and inspire you to aim higher. There is so much more that you can do," he told the awardees.

The National TVET Quality Awards initiative was implemented to promote technical and vocational education at the secondary level.

It is specially aimed at encouraging creativity and highlighting achievements among teachers and students.