Barbados opened its doors to a new era of workforce training on Wednesday, unveiling the island’s first Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) Global Training Centre at the National Union of Public Workers headquarters.
Backed by Chinese funding and international standards, officials said the initiative will equip Barbadians with skills tailored for an evolving global jobs market.
The centre forms part of a global network of training hubs dedicated to specialised education, skills development and capacity building, all aligned with internationally recognised standards.
Minister of Training and Tertiary Education Sandra Husbands described the GTC as a “cornerstone for fostering talent and driving innovation, particularly in the fields of optoelectronics, electronics and information network cabling”.
With the world of work undergoing rapid transformation, Husbands stressed the urgency of equipping Barbadians with the skills needed not only to survive, but to grow.
“Our theme today — Sharpening skills, Pursuing excellence, Unlocking opportunities — serves as our guiding principle,” she said. “It is a testament to our dedication to equipping our workforce with the competencies needed to thrive in a rapidly evolving global landscape.”
Citing the global shift towards growth in technology sectors, the minister noted that while some 92 million jobs are expected to disappear due to technological change, more than 130 million new jobs will emerge — but with very different requirements.
“To enable our population to get there, this government has to be committed to providing every opportunity for us to provide our young people with the new skills that will give them a future,” she explained.
The Barbados GTC subcentre, she said, is designed to be “a powerful resource, enabling you to deliver training that is relevant, responsive and innovative. It represents a significant advancement in our collective efforts to empower our youth with the skills necessary for success”.
Husbands underscored that the skills developed at the centre go far beyond job readiness, as it will equip learners with critical life skills.
“They are life skills that foster problem-solving, critical thinking and adaptability in a changing world without which our young people will not survive,” she added.
She also emphasised that the government’s commitment is to raise technical and vocational training to a world-class standard, positioning Barbadian workers to be “valuable, sought after, and to build a reputation internationally that will bring credit to this nation wherever they go”.
Young Barbadians and lifelong learners alike were urged to seize the opportunity. Husbands said the GTC membership provides “unparalleled access to resources and opportunities”, including unlimited access to WorldSkills online training content, invitations to training camps abroad, and preparation for global competitions.
Membership will also allow Barbados to benefit from access to international curriculum development, global technical guides, joint programmes with overseas institutions and exchange opportunities for both students and instructors.
(SB)
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