CASTRIES, Saint Lucia — Ninety young professionals have earned official certification in technical and vocational fields through the Saint Lucia Council for Technical and Vocational Education and Training (SLCTVET), marking a significant milestone in strengthening the island’s skilled workforce.
The graduates were honoured at a ceremony held last Friday at the Financial Administrative Centre in Castries, where education officials lauded the achievement as a testament to the growing importance of Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) in equipping citizens with marketable skills, boosting social inclusion, and supporting Saint Lucia’s labour market needs.
“Education must be purposeful and deliberate,” said Dr. Delthia Naitrum, Education Officer for TVET, as she addressed the graduating cohort.
“For a long time, we accepted education as useful, collecting traditional qualifications without much thought to their relevance. But today, we recognise that education must be designed deliberately. TVET offers that sense of purpose and aligns learning with the realities of our workforce.”
Perry Thomas, Executive Director of SLCTVET, commended the graduates and emphasised the Council’s broader vision for advancing Saint Lucia’s human capital development.
“TVET’s role in promoting social inclusion will only become more significant in the future,” he said. “We are committed to strengthening the TVET delivery system to ensure it is responsive to the evolving needs of the labour market.”
Thomas also encouraged the graduates to celebrate their achievements as a foundation for future growth.
“Reflect on your journey and the hard work you’ve invested,” he urged. “Use this moment as motivation to build resilience and set new goals.”
The newly certified professionals represent a diverse range of disciplines, adding to Saint Lucia’s expanding pool of skilled workers who are well-positioned to meet both local and regional demands. Officials underscored that continued investment in TVET remains central to the country’s education and development strategy, with a focus on fostering innovation, inclusivity, and economic growth.
