ABOUT US
The TVET Unit is the entity in the Department of Education, Innovation and Gender Relations that is responsible for managing and coordinating technical skills development in the school system. The primary focus of the Unit is to develop the knowledge, skills and attitudes of students who are trained and certified to join the work force upon leaving school or continue their education/train if this is the option they choose.
Fourteen technical, vocational and business Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC) subjects fall under the jurisdiction of the Unit. The Unit is also responsible for the implementation of the Caribbean Vocational Qualification (CVQ) in schools.
TVET is defined as: “those aspects of the educational process involving, in addition to general education, the study of technologies and related sciences and the acquisition of practical skills, attitudes, understanding and knowledge relating to occupation in various sectors of economic life”. (UNESCO)
It is a lifelong process where emphasis is placed on the all-round development of the individual. Lifelong learning promotes the development of knowledge, skills and attitudes that will enable learners to adapt to an environment where learning is lifelong by acquiring qualifications which will facilitate and permit their participation in all spheres of social and economic life, thereby enabling them to take control of their future. It is an experience of three dimensional thinking in which technical competence, aesthetics and application are associated.
TVET Vision
A highly motivated, self-sufficient, resourceful, dynamic and competent workforce, functioning in an ever changing social, economic and technological environment and contributing to the development of St Lucia.
TVET Mission
To establish a quality TVET system in schools which increases awareness and access to training and certification, builds partnerships, is relevant to industry and contributes to the creation of a cadre of trained and certified individuals.
Mandate of the unit
To coordinate the acquisition, design, development and implementation of curriculum and instructional materials for use in schools by all regardless of ability, gender etc.
- To provide instructional support to schools;
- To monitor and evaluate the implementation of TVET curriculum;
- To advise on the instructional, staffing, equipment and material needs of schools;
- To organise training programmes for TVET teachers to help develop their capacity to effectively deliver the TVET curriculum in schools
- To work with and visit TVET agencies such as Sir Arthur Lewis Community College (SALCC), National Skills Development Centre (NSDC), Centre for Adolescent Renewal and Education (C.A.R.E), National Enrichment and learning Unit (NELU) and private training providers in the resolution of problems related to the development and implementation of TVET;
- To develop and maintain linkages with industry to influence training and development of students and staff in schools
- To develop and implement strategies to obtain labour market intelligence to guide training
- To maintain linkages with regional and international agencies of TVET such as Caribbean Association of National Training Authorities (CANTA), CARICOM, UNESCO, International Labour Organisation (ILO) and Caribbean Examination Council (CXC),
- To assist in processing applications for permission to operate Private Educational Institutions
CARIBBEAN SECONDARY EXAMINATION CERTIFICATE (CSEC)
Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC) examinations are usually taken by students after five years of secondary school, and mark the end of standard secondary education. The CSEC examinations are equivalent to the Ordinary Level (O-Levels) examinations and are targeted towards students sixteen and older. CSEC subjects are examined for certification at the General and Technical Proficiencies. The General and Technical Proficiencies provide students with the foundation for further studies and entry to the workplace.
CSEC SUBJECTS MANAGED BY THE TVET UNIT
Technical Drawing (TD)
- Food Nutrition and Health (FN&H)
- Textile Clothing and Fashion (TC&F)
- Family and Resource Management (F&RM)
- Building and Furniture Technology (B&FT)
- Electrical and Electronic Technology (E&ET)
- Mechanical Engineering Technology (MET)
- Visual Arts (VA)
- Agricultural Science (AS)
- Principles of Business (POB)
- Principles of Accounts POA
- Electronic Document Preparation and Management (EDPM)
- Office Administration (OA)
CARIBBEAN VOCATIONAL QUALIFICATION (CVQ)/NVQ
What is the CVQ?
The Caribbean Vocational Qualification (CVQ) is one of the systems used to certify persons in the skill areas in the CARICO M region. It was approved by CARICOM to certify individuals in which industry- approved qualifications that are more relevant to the world of work. It represents a set of competencies that define the core work practices required for an occupation. Further, it is proof that the individual who is awarded the certificate has demonstrated competence in the essential knowledge, skills and attitudes that are consistent with the levels within the occupation as detailed by the occupational standards for the specific job.
This is one fundamental difference between the CVQ and CSEC and requires a mindset different to what we are accustomed to in schools. The CVQ employs the Competency Based Education and Training (CBET) modality which requires more practice to develop mastery of the skill at the particular level. Consequently, the teachers, facilities and students need to be in tune with this system to achieve satisfactory results.
People in industry have indicated that students who are CVQ trained and certified perform better than their CSEC counterparts and generally hit the ground running when they enter the world of work. Teachers have also commented favourably on the performance of said students.
The CVQ improves the quality of the labor force by imbuing individuals with relevant skills sets to improve competence and confidence that make these individuals better able to compete in the global market. A CVQ certificate is portable in that it allows the individual to travel and work anywhere in the CARICOM region and even further afield.
What is the National Vocational Qualification (NVQ)
A NVQ is a national certification developed by a particular territory in a skill area for consumption in that territory. The CVQ is a regional accepted certification NVQs developed after 2004 have the same weight as CVQs as a credential for movement of people in the region and employment.
Benefits of the CVQ/NVQ
Preparation for employment
- Ensures performance in the workplace
- Parallel standing with academic qualification
- Is recognized and portable within CARICOM. It is also recognized and accepted outside of the region including Canada and the Unites States of America
