The Saba delegation to the two-day vocational conference in St. Eustatius with “First Lady” Rosalyn Johnson (third right).
ST. EUSTATIUS–St. Eustatius is hosting the two-day Continuing Education and Training CVET Conference “Statia in Motion” November 28 and 29. The conference is a joint effort of the vocational schools in St. Maarten, St. Eustatius and Saba to promote vocational education and exchange knowledge and good practices.
The Caribbean Vocational Qualification (CVQ) system that has been implemented on the islands has a big impact on the schools, educators, students and industry.
Principal of Statia’s Gwendoline van Putten Secondary School Rosalie Edelstein-Lopes said the main focus in this system is geared towards developing a closer partnership with private industry and, through internship, preparing students to become well-rounded tradesmen and -women or future entrepreneurs, at the same time considering the importance of capacity-building.
Organising this event has a dual meaning for Statia. On one hand, Edelstein-Lopes said, it is a step towards developing a continuous and structured work relationship between the vocational schools on the islands, where intellectual ideas and workmanship are shared with the ultimate goal to enhance the quality of vocational education. She said this can only be accomplished through a partnership with stakeholders in the region.
On the other hand, the conference also features Statia’s legacy, as the theme refers to Statia’s early involvement with vocational education through the technical/trade school that was introduced to the island in the 1970s.
Edelstein-Lopes said: “We are, therefore, extremely proud to carry on this legacy and work towards accomplishing the dream our forefathers had with regard to developing vocational education in Statia.”
Conference attendees arrived in Statia on Thursday. Saba Governor Jonathan Johnson headed the Saba delegation, which also included his wife Rosalyn Johnson and their youngest child.
Miss Mature Queen 2019 Noris “Edna” Williams was on hand to greet the St. Maarten delegation. She was not able to be present to meet the visitors from Saba because of a mix-up in the flight schedules.
St. Eustatius Miss Mature Queen Norris “Edna” Williams (left) and the St. Maarten delegation.
Source: The Daily Herald https://www.thedailyherald.sx/islands/92901-windward-islands-vocational-schools-confer-in-st-eustatius
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