Background:
The Caribbean Development Bank (CDB) and the European Union (EU) entered into a Contribution Agreement (dated November 28th, 2019) for the administration of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) Single Market and Economy (CSME) and the CARIFORUM-EU Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) Standby Facility for Capacity Building, which is being financed through the 11th European Development Fund (EDF). The objective of the Facility is to provide national support for the effective implementation of the EPA and CSME at the national level.
In this regard, Antigua and Barbuda applied the Facility namely:
- “Enhanced Technical Vocational Education Training Framework for Certification in Antigua and Barbuda”. The primary objective of the project is to improve the regulatory and strategic framework for the development of the Technical Vocational Education and Training (TVET) system.
The value of the grant awarded to Antigua and Barbuda is equivalent to two hundred and fifty-seven thousand and five hundred and thirty-five Euros, which would cover a period ending March 30th, 2024.
Project Justification and Benefits:
The Project to be undertaken by the GOAB will focus primarily on the post-school training of individuals who have already established themselves in a particular field, but who do not possess the required certification that will make it possible to take advantage of the opportunities available locally and through the CSME.
A key advantage of the GOAB enhancing the TVET program in Antigua and Barbuda is to align training resources more strategically to the nation’s developmental priorities. The increased access to TVET programs will also lead to reduced dropout rates and improved quality learning among youth; reduced incidence of unemployment among youth; reduced gender segmentation in the traditional TVET roles; improved access for persons living with a disability; the development of a highly skilled and credentialed workforce; better-performing organizations through increased productivity, increased profitability; and innovation and long-run sustainable growth and development.
TVET programs are more effective than a four-year first-degree program; and by enabling beneficiaries to acquire practical job competence for immediate use in the workforce.
Project Components:
Development of a Labour Market and Skills Development Assessment as well as a Gender-Responsive and inclusive National TVET Strategy
- Identifying high potential growth sectors and employment trends, and identifying constraints faced by specific populations in the labor market and TVET these include women, youth persons with disabilities, and other vulnerable groups.
Development and Implementation of an Organisational Review and Sustainability Plan developed and implemented for the ABNTA and ABICE
- It will also seek to provide recommendations for implementation, to improve the sustainability of the ABNTA and ABICE.
Development of a Capacity Building Programme within the TVET Institutional Framework
- This will include the certification of assessors, verifiers, and trainers. It will also focus on building the human resource capacity of the ABICE to teach students using the CBET methodology.
Component 4 – Installation and Commissioning of equipment at ABICE
- Purchase and installation of required equipment for workshops in the air conditioning and refrigeration, welding, and automotive areas.
Public awareness program developed and implemented.
- It will include the development and rollout of the ABNTA website.
