THA to expand tech voc training in schools

The Roxborough Secondary School is poised to be a main centre for technical vocational training in Tobago as part of the Tobago House of Assembly (THA) Division of Education, Youth Affairs and Sport’s goal that no child should be left behind.  The division’s secretary Claudia Groome-Duke told reporters at last week’s post-executive council media briefing that the workshop laboratory capabilities in Roxborough as well as Signal Hill, Scarborough and Mason Hall secondary schools would be upgraded. 

The upgrade programme would allow for training in  the Caribbean Vocational Qualification (CVQ) Levels  One, Two and Three.  Groome-Duke said the upgrade would give a student an opportunity that would be found in a workplace. She said the opportunities at Level Three will be such that even teachers can use the lab for their professional development in technical vocation.  The division is also expected to initiate two new programmes for young people.  “The Young Scholars Programme would provide accelerated learning in subject areas such as mathematics, language arts and creative writing in the primary school and all subject areas in the secondary schools. 

 “For young professionals fresh out of university, the Graduate Apprenticeship Programme allows for their training in preparation for job opportunities in their profession as they bring their skills to bear on the development of Tobago. I think it is a very unique opportunity our young people who are returning to Tobago, professionals who would want exposure before they are employed,” Groome-Duke said.
 There is a call for 2,500 young people to register for the annual vacation camp.  Groome-Duke said the division has collaborated with the Sport Company of Trinidad and Tobago for the sporting aspect of the camp. The academic component would include the cultural elements of dance and music, social and other activities.