The Government of Dominica is now set and ready to launch its Caribbean Vocational Qualifications (CVQ) Pilot Program in three secondary schools on the island for the 2013-2014 school year.
Eighteen trained assessors of the CVQ were awarded certificates at a recognition ceremony on Wednesday morning.
Speaking at the ceremony, Chief Education Officer Steve Hyacinth said that the introduction of the CVQ is significant due to the fact that in today’s globally competitive environment, skills and credentials are the new currency.
“Our students in Dominica cannot afford to lag behind other students in the Caribbean and the world we must prepare them to be competitive in this global market. Education systems in the Caribbean have recognized that if they are to remain competitive they must respond to the demands and needs of the market place,” Hyacinth stated.
He pointed out that one main obstacles to the acceptance of the Technical Vocational Education Training (TVET) in schools is the lack of knowledge and misinformation.
The Chief Education Officer noted further that many people do not know about CVQ and if they do, they do not understand how the CVQ system relates to the free movement of skills and certified workers within CARICOM.
He dispelled the notion that TVET is for students who are not as successful academically and described the program as an excellent education option.
Minister of Education Peter St Jean stated that CVQ is a step in the right direction as it prepares students to succeed.
“Skill training is vital if we are to begin to realize increase economic growth, see a reduction in poverty, decrease unemployment rates, and promote sustainable development. In the new knowledge economy skills and credentials in specific areas of technical expertise are proving more and more valuable to the global citizen in its search for employment,” he said.
The Dominica Grammar School will launch the CVQ Pilot program in food preparation and cosmetology, the North East Comprehensive school will conduct a crop production program, while the Goodwill Secondary School will do garment production.
Other skills which will be taught under the CVQ program include furniture making, plumbing, music, auto mechanics and home economics, among others.
CVQ is a competency based approach to training, assessment and certification. It is administered by the Caribbean Examinations Council (CXC).
Sometimes, I wonder what is really going on. We had a Junior Secondary Programme that was doing so good, and we have evidence of that. Somebody decided we should do away with it. During that period we had less young people sitting on the roadside. Now we coming with Caribbean Vocational Programmes. We like to copy too much.
There are simply some students like me who are late learners and some of us can mix a little academic with skills and that was doing good with the JSP, but our so called educationists cannot understand that, and everything that is done in other countries we are like copy cats.
The full time secondary is for those that are inclined to the academics and nothing wrong with that. The JSP is for those like me who can mix some academics with the skills, people that is the way to go.
Full of qualified people in the ministry of Education but they really cannot understand and appreciate what works and does not work in the education sector.
Instead of writing and talking help and then things will work out. We down and criticize everything ad we do have solutions or ideas for a better programme. so stop writing, talking and help the system give suggestions.
That’s what I’m talking about. This is long over due. This training will guarantee a young persons employment or self employment, and should stem the level of migration. I wish I had those opportunities growing up then.
You don’t have to miss the opportunity entirely. Very soon, the Dominica TVET Council will ensure that opportunities are available for the general public to attain the same CVQ certification. There are 5 increasing levels of certification that can be pursued. There will eventually also be the opportunity for prior learning assessment (PLA) by which if you already have the skills, you can simply apply for assessment and get certified accordingly based on that. Stay tuned!
Is it a skills programe? Really that’s what education in Dominica is coming to? I thought it ws technical vocational education.Or is it DNO’s perception and understanding?Are they the same? Does it mean that people who are scientifically inclined should not or do not have skills?
It is a skills program. It is indeed what education in Dominica is coming to. It is technical vocational education. It is not simply DNO’s perception and understanding. They are not the same. Technical and Vocational Education and Trainng (TVET) is a training program, while the Caribbean Vocational Qualification (CVQ) is a skills-based, industry-monitored certification that you get when you complete an assessment. So it is a unique opportunity to leave secondary school with your 5 traditional CXC subjects PLUS a certificate in a skill of your choice, that you can present anywhere in the CARICOM region – that is the “Caribbean” part of the name.