Government’s successful implementation of the Skills For The Future Programme thus far, has been lauded by the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB).

Country Representative of the IDB, Joel Branski, showered praise on both the Ministry of Education, Science, Technology and Innovation, and the Ministry of Labour, Social Security and Human Resource Development, as he addressed a ceremony to announce winners of the third round of funding from the Competency-Based Training Fund (CBTF).

The event was held at Sea Breeze Hotel, Maxwell, Christ Church.
Mr. Branski, while noting that the Skills For The Future loan represented a landmark in the extraordinary partnership between the IDB and Barbados, highlighted results which spoke to Government’s achievements since the project’s inception in 2013.

In respect of the Schools Improvement Grants programme, valued at US $180,000, he reminded those gathered that this was serving to complement the training provided at the beneficiary secondary schools in the fields of Mathematics, English and Science.

Turning his attention to the achievements of the CBTF, the IDB Representative emphasised that the Fund was “established to improve the alignment between the supply of training and the market demand of the private sector“.

Declaring that it was worth celebrating, Mr. Branski highlighted the success of the three cycles of the CBFT in disbursing the over US $6 million.

The Skills For The Future Project supports Government’s Human Resource Development Strategy (2011-1016) by improving the skills of the workforce in preparation for the nation’s future challenges. The comprehensive programme, which is being funded by the IDB at a value of US $20 million, focuses on improving the quality and relevance of secondary education, as well as the effectiveness of technical and vocational education. (JG/BGIS)