In a move poised to help reshape Barbados’ workforce development landscape, the Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) Council and the Barbados National Standards Institution (BNSI) have signed a groundbreaking Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) that will formally recognise the skills of the employees of the BNSI’s membership, while strengthening the island’s quality infrastructure.
The agreement, signed at the BNSI’s headquarters recently, marks a new level in the strategic alliance between two of the country’s leading institutions in standards and workforce development. It aims to bridge the gap between competence and quality, offering workers new opportunities to gain formal certification through the TVET Council’s Prior Learning Assessment and Recognition (PLAR) programme.
PLAR is a process that allows individuals to earn formal qualifications by assessing and validating the skills and knowledge they’ve gained through work experience, informal training, or other non-traditional learning.
“This MOU is about more than paperwork, it’s about people,” said Fabian Scott, acting deputy director of BNSI. “It’s about ensuring that the skills Barbadians have — whether learned on the job or in the classroom — are recognised, certified, and aligned with international standards.”
Under the agreement, BNSI members and their employees will benefit from discounted access to the PLAR programme, under which National and Caribbean Vocational Qualifications (NVQs and CVQs) are awarded, based on both formal education and real-world experience. The initiative supports the Government of Barbados’ goal to reduce the number of uncertified workers and boost national productivity.
“We are building a Barbados where skills and quality work hand in hand,” said Hadyn Rhynd, director of BNSI. “This partnership will not only safeguard competence but also enhance the global competitiveness of our industries.”
The MOU also opens the door to deeper collaboration in areas such as joint promotions, training, and strategic workforce planning. TVET Council’s Executive Director Henderson Eastmond emphasised that the partnership goes far beyond certification.
“TVETC is not just about issuing certificates, we’re about building industries,” Eastmond said. “Through this MOU, we’re looking at how we can help Barbados save foreign exchange, develop new sectors, and think more strategically about workforce needs.”
One of the key innovations under the MOU is the planned establishment of Sector Skills Councils, industry-led bodies that will identify skills gaps and guide the development of relevant training and standards. BNSI’s diverse membership base is expected to play a pivotal role in this initiative.
Sectors already in focus include the Creative Industries, such as film and animation, which offer export potential, and Health and Wellness, a growing priority in light of Barbados’ ageing population.
“This is a forward-looking partnership,” Eastmond said. “It’s about creating a future-ready workforce that is competent, confident, and globally recognised.”
The MOU takes effect immediately and will remain in force for three years, with the potential for renewal. It represents a major step towards aligning Barbados’ skills development efforts with international best practice and economic resilience.
(PR)
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