The 32nd CANTA Meeting
The Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) Council, through the Caribbean Association of National Training Authorities (CANTA), in collaboration with the Commonwealth of Learning (COL) and the Caribbean Development bank (CDB), hosted the 32nd CANTA Meeting from February 27 to 28, 2023.
CANTA is an association of national training authorities and other TVET bodies in CARICOM member states. It was established in November 2003 as the implementing arm of the CARICOM Regional Coordinating Mechanism for TVET, with responsibility for overseeing the implementation of the Caribbean Vocational Qualification (CVQ) across CARICOM member states.
The two-day conference, which took place at the Accra Beach Hotel & Spa and Hilton Barbados Resort, respectively, covered several significant matters. These included a review of the Regional Vocational Qualifications Framework (RVQF) and the digitization of the TVET system.
During his remarks at the opening ceremony, Mr. Henderson Eastmond, Executive Director of the TVET Council, spoke to the establishment of CANTA, noting that it was founded with responsibility for the coordination of TVET in CARICOM states.
“CANTA was endorsed as the implementation arm of the CARICOM Regional Coordinating Mechanism for Technical Vocational Education and Training (RCMTVET)…It is the platform from which positions on technical and vocational education and training can be clearly articulated and promoted in the region,” he said.
Mr. Eastmond reiterated the CANTA's goals and objectives and described how they all work in concert with one another. Additionally, he noted that by implementing objective #11, which is to support and promote the 2014 revision of the CARICOM Regional TVET Strategy, all other objectives, particularly those relating to improved quality assurance for TVET and the development of the CVQ within the framework of regional qualifications, can be accomplished.
In parting, he expressed his support for CANTA, adding: "Therefore, it is my deepest desire that CANTA be empowered to fully implement the Regional TVET Strategy, for this is the key to achieving a regional TVET System that produces a 21st century workforce and develops sustainable economies."
As CANTA strives to continuously review and improve regional TVET systems in order to assure citizens and other stakeholders of the quality of those systems, The Hon. Kay S. McConney, M.P., Minister of Education, Technological and Vocational Training, asserted that as the Minister responsible for the METVT, under which the TVET Council Barbados falls, efforts to implement higher level qualifications at Levels 3 and 4 are progressing steadily, including the implementation of Technical Degrees.
While applauding the meeting's agenda, which included review of the RVQF, the Minister added that she was also pleased to learn that other factors that the framework will address include lifelong learning and facilitating opportunities for people to access education and training at different stages, using various paths in response to the challenges of a rapidly changing world.
Additionally: “As CANTA looks towards continuous review and improvement of its regional TVET strategies, it will inevitably lead to a stronger system of certification of graduates and the current workforce, increased employment in the region for CARICOM nationals, and a more demand-driven, responsive, and flexible training and education system.” She stated.
