With two snips of the scissors the office the Dutch Caribbean ROA situated on the Kaya Korona on Bonaire was officially put into service on February 9th , 2012. The opening ribbon was cut by the chairman of the Bonaire Chamber of Commerce, Evert Piar and Wiebe Kalkman, an mbo student of Bonaire Comprehensive School (Scholengemeenshap Bonaire). This took place in the presence of representatives of institutions for vocational training, the business community, authorities and other interested parties. ROA stands for Council for Education and Labour Market (Raad voor Onderwijs en Arbeidsmarkt). The Dutch Caribbean ROA Foundation has as its primary task the creation of a good link between vocational training and the business community.
Well educated and trained trade persons form the backbone of the economy. Since October 10th , 2010 schools in the Dutch Caribbean form part of the education al system of The Netherlands. According to the new Law Education and Vocational Training BES (Wet Educatie en Beroepsonderwijs BES) all students in vocational training will be required in the future to follow practical training at recognized training companies. In a training company students are introduced to the professional practice and learn what is expected of them. Training companies therefore have a great responsibility.
The recognition of learning companies takes place through the Dutch Caribbean ROA. Other tasks of ROA are among others guiding and advising during the training of students, contributing and translating labour market developments to the content of the training and monitoring the application of the training to the practical work. The ROA will also make recommendations for recognizing and funding of trainings by the Ministry of education, Culture & Science (OCW).
The board of the Dutch Caribbean ROA is formed comprising representatives of employers’ organizations, employee organizations, and educational institutions of the Public Entities of Bonaire, St. Eustatius and Saba. These representatives have chosen for one joint council for all three islands. A joint ROA promotes the cooperation between the institutions for vocational training on the islands and stimulates the exchange of knowledge and experience. The board is comprised of board members
Herbert Domacasse, Orphaline Saleh and Anthony Cecilia for Bonaire, Roy Hooker and Shermen Gibbs-Pompier for St. Eustatius and Gied Mommers and Bettina Alkema-Schroeter for Saba. In order to satisfy each island, the chairmanship of the foundation will rotate every two years. During the first two years the ROA will be presided over by the Bonairian board member Herbert Domacassee.
The main office of the Dutch Caribbean ROA is based in Bonaire; however an advisor is present on all three islands. Core tasks of the advisors are providing basic training for specialist teachers and the recognition of training companies on the island.
Following a brief word of welcome by the interim director Paula Muns, Nolly Oleana addressed those present in his capacity as project leader for vocational training for OCW. On behalf of the Minister of Education Science and Culture, Mrs. Marja van Bijsterveldt, he congratulated the board members with their appointment and expressed the hope that the business community will work closely with ROA and schools to create sufficient work placements and training specialists for MBO students. "However you shift or turn: the formation of future professional people is a joint responsibility of the schools and business community." Following the official opening those present could tour the office and enjoy a drink and snack.