Tranisha Foster accepts her special award for excellent work in the International Cuisine course.
Adult literacy and numeracy training is to be offered at the Barbados Vocational Training Board (BVTB) in the upcoming months.
Word of this came from Minister of Education, Technological and Vocational Training Santia Bradshaw while addressing the BVTB’s 2019 Graduating Class ceremony on Saturday evening at the Garfield Sobers Gymnasium.
Saying there were some adults in this island experiencing issues reading and completing basic tasks even after several years of education, she stressed this placed them at risk of not being able to successfully acquire a job or hold one, leading to a sense of frustration.
“Over the next few months, my ministry will make provisions for the establishment of adult literacy and numeracy programmes as part of the training offered by the BVTB. We will open the doors to the adults who indicate that they have such challenges and who are seeking help to improve their situation. I am appealing to such persons who need the support to put aside the pride and take advantage of this assistance which we are offering to you. Not only does every child matter, but every adult also matters,” she said to the applause of those gathered.
Bradshaw said it was anticipated that beneficiaries of the programme later participate in the competence-based programmes offered.
The minister also revealed that with the BVTB in dire need of additional space for its expanded offerings, an abandoned plant in Deacons would be retrofitted in the upcoming months with the intention of it being ready for January’s intake.
“I think we have been able to put some spring in the steps of a lot of people to ensure that we are able to acquire that for the BVTB and to accelerate the programme so that by January next year we can see another cohort of persons being able to take advantage of the number of courses that will be available,” she stressed. (JMB)