PR – The Democratic People’s Movement (DPM) is calling for a major overhaul of Grenada’s vocational and technical training system, arguing that young Grenadians must have the practical skills to take advantage of jobs being created by with construction projects across the country.
“We need to train our young people for the work that is available,” David said. “It is no longer sufficient to teach them maths and English and biology and chemistry. We need young people to understand that technology is important, plumbing is important.”
David, who also is MP for the Town of St George, pointed to the construction and hospitality sectors, where major projects are generating demand for skilled workers.
“I see persons coming from outside,” he said. “Many Grenadian young people are sitting by and watching that the money being spent on the construction of these projects is going out of the country right after the projects are completed.”
The DPM leader said the country must determine its labour needs and align education and training accordingly.
“It needs to start with training our people and looking seriously at the development of the vocational institutions that you have,” David said.
The International Monetary Fund has identified youth-focused technical and vocational training as important to addressing skills shortages and better aligning the workforce with the economy’s evolving needs.
Grenada’s National Training Agency is also mandated to develop and coordinate programmes to meet labour market needs through TVET—Technical and Vocational Education and Training.
As a government, DPM would also place greater emphasis on entrepreneurship, David promised.
“Apart from looking for jobs, we need to train young people to create jobs,” he said. “We need to establish businesses.”
David is recommending stronger links between training institutions, government and financial institutions to help young people develop and finance viable businesses.
