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Basseterre, St. Kitts, February 28, 2019 (SKNIS): The Republic of China (Taiwan) is expected to expand its support to St. Kitts and Nevis’ Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) programme by offering access to training courses.

His Excellency Tom Lee, Taiwan’s Resident Ambassador to the twin-island Federation, appeared on the ‘Working for You’ radio and television programme on Wednesday (February 27, 2019) and said that approximately 30 training scholarships will be offered to persons to travel to Taiwan for advanced training.

“They are all in different fields but I know that one of them will be in Chinese cooking,” Ambassador Lee stated.

The initiative is a follow-up to a similar venture in 2018. Dr. Kertney Thompson, Chief Executive Officer of the St. Kitts-Nevis TVET Council Secretariat, said that four persons travelled to Taiwan for several months last year, and explored advanced techniques in hospitality at a vocational training institute. At the end of the course, the persons, including teachers from the Cayon High School and Advanced Vocational Education Centre (AVEC) received certification.

Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Education, William V. A. Hodge, joined Ambassador Lee on ‘Working for You’ and said that the government is committed to enhancing TVET skills. This is mostly being achieved through the TVET Enhancement Programme, which started in 2016 and is scheduled to end in 2021. The programme is geared towards addressing access to quality education and training, participation and quality assurance in the educational system in St. Kitts and Nevis.

Mr. Hodge added that the ministry is working on developing National Vocational Qualification standards that will give locals the necessary papers that reflect their competency. This will help qualified individuals to access employment opportunities at home and abroad.