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CDB provides additional funding for TVET development project in St. Vincent and the Grenadines

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The Caribbean Development Bank (CDB) has approved an additional sum of USD7.317 mn to St. Vincent and the Grenadines to broaden the scope of an ongoing Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) Development Project initially approved for funding in 2011. The Bank has also approved a Grant of USD330,000. The original project funded with a USD5 mn loan, was designed to assist the government in expanding the supply of skilled and employable labour with certification that has national and regional acceptability. The additional Loan will assist the government with the continued transformation and responsiveness of the TVET system as a vehicle for workforce development, consistent with the country' human resource development needs, and the changing Caribbean Vocational qualifications (CVQ) environment. The broadened scope of the project includes enhancing the learning environment for expanded and improved TVET inclusive of rehabilitation works at the Kingstown, Georgetown, Camden Park and Barrouallie Technical Institutes (TIs), and the Bequia Community High School. There will also be Construction of smart classroom blocks and ancillary works for the TIs, as well as Construction of Science and Technology Labs at Bishops College and Dr. J. P. Eustace Memorial Secondary. Equipment and tools, furniture, supplies and curriculum support materials will be provided, along with Technical Assistance for design studies for the establishment of the Marriaqua Technical Institute and the Construction of a TVET block at Union Island Secondary School. The project includes capacity-building for an enhanced and sustainable TVET System and provides for: training for teachers/instructors up to the degree level in TVET skill areas; training of assessors and verifiers; training of TVET instructors in pedagogy; consultancy services for the training of TVET teachers/instructors in literacy and numeracy education; training for persons in Career Guidance and Counselling; training of principals and teachers in Competency-Based Education and Training (CBET) methodology and Caribbean Vocational Qualifications (CVQ) implementation; and training of industry professionals in standards development. There will also be provision for improved access to training for out-of-school, unemployed, “at risk" youth and adults under this project. It is expected that at least 1,000 youth and adults at-risk, including 90 inmates at the Kingstown Prison will be trained. A Life Skills/ Health and Family Life Education programme will be implemented in the schools and the TIs, enhancing access to TVET programmes by persons with disabilities. In addition, the Student Support Services system will be enhanced, and a Code of Practice for collaboration within the TVET system established. The Project is expected to produce a high quality, relevant and gender-responsive TVET system in St. Vincent and the Grenadines.

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