A number of institutions are now accredited to deliver programmes that offer Caribbean Vocation Qualifications [CVQ] certificates.
The CVQ was implemented by the Caribbean Association of National Training Authorities (CANTA) with the approval of Caricom. The objective was to ensure the realization of one of the main pillars of the Caribbean Single Market and Economy [CSME] – the free movement of skills among the countries of the Region – thus facilitating cross border trade in technical skills.
The CVQ is a significant development in terms of its importance as a recognized quality and reliability standard for TECHVOC Skills according to Chairman for the Council for Technical Vocational Education and Training [CTVET], Mr. Clinton Williams.
Recipients of the CVQ Certificates in the company of officials including with Mr. Clinton Williams [extreme right] and Technical Advisor to the Minister of Education Mr. Vincent Alexander [fourth from left].
While most of the Caricom Countries have signalled their intention to be accredited in order to award CVQ’s to graduates of their TVET Systems only seven have been approved with the authority to issue CVQ’s. These countries are: Jamaica, Barbados, Trinidad and Tobago, Grenada, St. Lucia, St. Vincent and Guyana, the latter two have already been subjected to Verification Audits for the implementation and use of the Quality Assurance Criteria and Guidelines since November 2015.
The CVQ, according to Williams, should be viewed as both a regional and internationally accredited certificate which all local training providers in Guyana should strive for by registering with the CTVET and upgrading their curriculum, human resource and facilities to the prescribed internationally acceptable standards.
Among areas for which CVQ certification is available are: Banking Operations Level 1; Heavy Equipment Maintenance and Repair Level 1; and Automotive Electrical and Electronics Maintenance and Repair Level 1.