Government prepares to start Secondary Vocational Education Service Center to address labour market demands
A meeting held on April 14 at Carl & Sons Conference Room in Cole Bay concerning the establishment of a Secondary Vocational Education (SBO/SVE) Service Center, and plans for the preparation and the provision of SBO education, went very well according to Head of the Department for Educational Research Policy, Planning and Innovation (DERPPI) Patricia Lourens.
The meeting took place between educational officials and the first group of primary SBO future providers namely, St. Maarten Academy, Milton Peters College, St. Maarten Vocational School, St. Maarten Institute of Technology and Hospitality (SMITH) and the University of St. Martin (USM).
A second round of meetings is being planned with the St. Maarten Medical Center, SIFMA, Marine Trades Sector, and the SMBA. A third round of meetings will include all stakeholders in this venture.
Commissioner of Education Sarah Wescot-Williams opened the meeting and welcomed everyone present. Commissioner Wescot-Williams emphasized the urgency of starting an SBO level education based on current business and economic trends on the island.
Those trends reveal a great demand for specifically trained and skilled persons on a SBO level.
"The meeting was well attended. Participants in this meeting indicated that the interest for a SBO/SVE level education is very high and the demand is also there.
"The response from the business sector in the first familiarization rounds so far has been excellent. We had a very lively discussion with a question and answer period. A lot of information was provided to those in attendance.
"The SBO Service Center will be tasked with providing information, support guidance and expertise to assist those who are already in the labour market as well as students who complete preparatory secondary vocational education (PSVE) and would like to continue with their education on the island but also to support and advise businesses regarding the availability of skills and services that can be gained by being involved with the program.
"The SBO Service Center will facilitate the provisioning of SBO/SVE level education. We are looking forward to launching this new educational initiative," Lourens told the Government Information Service (GIS).
Patricia Lourens added that the SBO Service Center will act as a broker between the business community and students and at the same time act as a support provider in order to maintain a high level of education as demanded by SBO legislation.
The next step is a meeting with the St. Maarten Chamber of Commerce & Industry and the Small Business Association before a general meeting is held with all parties and partners concerned.
The first SBO/SVE level classes are scheduled for August/September.
The Executive Council earlier this year took the decision to approve the start of the service center seeing the need and importance of having such an institution in order to meet the demands and service the interests of the business sector and the students.