Empowering Futures: Transforming Lives Through Technical and Vocational Education
Discover our commitment to empowering individuals through comprehensive technical and vocational education programmes that drive personal growth, career success, and a brighter future.
Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) is understood as: ‘comprising education, training and skills development relating to a wide range of occupational fields, production, services and livelihoods.’
TVET is imperative for lifelong personal growth, inclusive and sustainable economic development, and the creation of a globally competitive labour force.
TVET aims to develop a well educated and skilled labour force that is competent, innovative and entrepreneurial which will ultimately enhance the standard of living in Saint Lucia and the Caribbean region.
Consequently, the education system should support mastery of skills through competency-based education and training because TVET is a system which can accomplish the development of key competencies and mastery of skills to all people at all levels in the country.
This change of focus necessitates changing perceptions of TVET so that it is seen as an integral component of education and lifelong learning, leading to sustainable personal, social and economic development.
Our vision is to contribute to the development of competent, certified, and globally competitive citizens equipped with knowledge, skills, and attitudes for personal and national advancement.
Our mission is to provide equitable, holistic, and integrated lifelong learning opportunities for citizens to realize their full potential and for the achievement of a capable, competent, and competitive labour force.
History of TVET
The Saint Lucia Council for Technical Vocational Education and Training (SLCTVET)was formally established by an Act of Parliament in November 2007 to coordinate and monitor formal, informal and non-formal TVET programmes at the national level. It is a tripartite body made up of Government, Employers and Unions. The SLCTVET works in collaboration with the TVET Unit of the Ministry of Education, Innovation, Gender Relations and Sustainable Development to coordinates the provision of TVET within the school system. In May 2013, the SLCTVET was granted permission to award the Caribbean Vocational Qualification (CVQ). This was done after careful scrutiny and auditing of the Council's operations and quality assurance procedures.
The CVQ is an award that represents the achievement of a set of competencies in an occupation.
NVQ which is a qualification developed by a territory for certification in a particular occupational area.
The members of the council include:
- Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Labour who shall be an ex officio member
- Chief Education Officer who shall be an ex officio member;
- Principal of the Sir Arthur Lewis Community College or his/her nominee; and
- The following persons appointed by the Minister by instrument in writing:
- two members appointed on the recommendations of the associations which represent employers;
- three members with expertise in technical and vocational education and training; and
- two members appointed on recommendations of the trade unions.
- Advise the Minister on policy relating to technical and vocational education and training;
- Prepare plans for technical and vocational education and training in accordance with national policies and economic needs;
- Ensure that agreed plans for technical and vocational education and training are implemented;
- Co-ordinate technical and vocational education and training at all levels of the educational system and industry;
- Establish standards for technical and vocational education and training;
- Establish training priorities, qualifications and accreditation;
- Determine the facilities and resources required to ensure satisfactory standards of technical and vocational education and training and the welfare of students, trainees and staff of training institutions;
- Make grants and loans for the support and provision of technical and vocational education and training;
- Carry out such other functions relating to technical and vocational education and training
In addition to the CVQ, the SLCTVET also awards the National Vocational Qualification (NVQ) which is a qualification developed by a territory for certification in a particular occupational area. The NVQ follows the same system and structure and has equal status as the CVQ as it relates to the movement of people in the region. It should be noted that the Council for Human and Social development (COHSOD) decided in 2007 that Artisans with a Caribbean Vocational Qualification (CVQ) or Artisans who had obtained a National Vocational Qualification (NVQ) after January 2004 in an area for which regional standards were approved should be allowed to move freely.