The Status of Technical and Vocational Education in Trinidad and Tobago

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The Status of Technical and Vocational Education
in Trinidad and Tobago
at Upper Secondary level
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Presented by
Sharon Mangroo Director of Curriculum
Development Ministry of Education
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Technical Vocational Education

• Taught at
• Lower Secondary
• Upper Secondary
• Sixth Form

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Administration

• Schools
• Heads of Departments
• Teachers

• Head Office
• Curriculum Officers
• Schools Supervisors Curriculum
• Schools Supervisors Administration

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Teachers

• Craftsman Certificate
• Technician Diploma
• Undergraduate Degrees

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Lower Secondary

• Present
• Agricultural Science
• Home Economics
• Industrial Arts

• Introducing
• Technology Education

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• TECHNICAL VOCATIONAL SUBJECTS OFFERED AT C.X.C
• Agriculture
• ? Agricultural Science (Double Award)
• ? Agricultural Science (Single Award)
• Business Education
• ? Office Procedures (General and Basic)
• ? Principles of Accounts (General and Basic)
• ? Principles of Business (General and Basic)
• ? Typewriting (General and Basic)

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• Home Economics
• ? Clothing and Textiles (General)
• ? Food and Nutrition (General)
• ? Home Economics Management (General)

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• Industrial Technology
• ? Building Technology (Technical)
• Option (1) Woods
• Option (2) Construction
• ? Electrical and Electronic Technology
• (Technical)
• ? Mechanical Engineering Technology
• (Technical)

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• Technical Drawing
• General
• Basic

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SPECIALISED CRAFT COURSES

• Air-Conditioning and Refrigeration
• Auto mechanics
• Beauty Culture
• Agriculture
• Cabinet-Making
• Clerk Typist /Shorthand Typist
• Construction/Carpentry and Joinery
• Domestic Electronics Servicing

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SPECIALISED CRAFT COURSES continued

• Dressmaking and Design Basic Level
• Electrical Installation Wireman/Industrial
• Machine Shop
• Masonry
• Plumbing
• Shorthand
• Tailoring

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SPECIALISED CRAFT COURSESContinued

• Welding
• Introduction to Computer Studies
• Typewriting
• Cluster Construction )
• Cluster Mechanical PreCraft
• Cluster Food Preparation)

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THE SUBJECTS

• Communications
• Science
• Theory
• Practical
• Calculations
• Technical
• Drawing

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Weaknesses in the TVET delivery
system(Specialized Craft)

• ? Absence of reliable labour market information
  and a comprehensive manpower needs analysis
  leading to demand-supply mismatches.

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Weaknesses

• ? Inadequate level of preparedness of the
  majority of entrants to TVET, particularly in
  respect of literacy and numeracy skills.

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Weaknesses

• Deficiencies among teachers in their own
  specialist areas as well as in basic
  communication interpersonal skills and
  instructor competencies.

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Weaknesses

• Grossly inadequate equipment and facilities
• Acute shortage of consumables.
• A largely theoretical assessment process

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Weaknesses

• Questionable validity of the assessment system
• Absence of career guidance and counseling
• (Premature and narrow specialization)
• National Task force on TVET 1997

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Consultations

• Teachers
• Workshop Attendants
• Principals
• Employers
• Ministry of Education Personnel
• TVET delivery organizations

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Feedback

• Foundation Technologies at forms 4 and 5
• Level 2 programme at form 6 in MoE
• Linkages to relevant ministries and organizations

• Upgrade of physical resources
• Retraining and upgrade of teachers
• Continuous consultation with teachers

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Feedback

• Formal linkages between Education and industry
• Manpower analyses
• Consultation with vision2020 committees

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Definition

• Technical Vocational Education is
• an integral part of everyones basic general
  education
• which may be freely and positively chosen as a
  means by which people develop talents, interests
  and skills
• leading to an occupation in various sectors,
• while allowing access to all other aspects and
  areas of education at all levels.
• (UNESCO 2001 General Council)

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New Curriculum

• Construction Technology
• Production Technology
• Energy, Power, Transportation Technology
• Biological Technology
• Information and Communications Technology

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New Curriculum Goals

• Understand the evolution of technology and its
  impact on persons, community and environment
• Apply processes, use tools, materials and
  machines to accomplish specific tasks safely and
  efficiently
• Develop leadership and interpersonal skills
• Make informed career choices
• Develop creativity, problem solving skills and
  decision making ability
• Promote life-long learning

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New Curriculum

• Develop the ability to function as a team member
  and to communicate technical information

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Post Secondary Programme

• Two Year
• Sandwich Programme
• In specific crafts or job related
  competencies
• e.g. Auto Diesel
• Air Conditioning
• Refrigeration
• Beauty Culture
• Construction

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Certification

• Caribbean Advanced Proficiency Examination (CAPE)
• NTQ
• NCSE
• NVQ
• CVQ

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National Qualification Framework
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Challenges for the Future

• Facilities
• Resourcing schools
• Staff training and development
• Assessment systems
• Partnerships
• Development of new programmes
• Preparedness of students

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Facilities

• Specifications
• Location
• Maintenance

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Resourcing Schools

• Specifications
• Planning
• Consumables

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Partnerships

• Industry
• Ministries e.g. Labour
• National training agency
• Policy

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ASSESSMENT

• Authentic
• Valid
• Training

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Staff Training and Development

• Wide range of specialties
• Technical proficiency
• Education theory
• Classroom management

• Facilities management
• Teaching methods
• Guidance

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New Programmes

• Labour market information
• Core knowledge, skills competencies
• Social and economic aspects
• Interdisciplinary

• Organizational planning
• Entrepreneurial skills
• Health and Safety
• Values
• General Knowledge

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Preparedness of students

• Basic literacies
• Vocational interests and Aptitudes

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Thank you

• The End
• 
  
• 
  Ministry of Education sdm

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Produced for OAS Workshop on The Development
and Certification ofBasic and Labour
Competencies Crowne Plaza 17-20 August 2004by
SDM