FROM PREJUDICE to PRIDE OF PLACE Addressing Negative Perceptions of TVET Janet A. Dyer HEART College of Hospitality Services

TVET Transformation Man can adjust by tinkering, but he cannot transform. Nothing less than transformation can provide answers to the dilemmas within which we are currently trapped. Michael Manley Politics of Change 1972

TVET and Jamaica  Slow economic growth, high percentage of unskilled population and increasing rates of workforce migration have had a great influence on the country’s policy in terms of TVET.

TVET and Jamaica  TVET has developed into a standard bearer for the Caribbean and other developing countries of the world and is embodied in the operation of the HEART Trust/NTA., a statutory organisation that was established in 1982 by the National Government.

TVET and Jamaica  TVET has allowed for Increased access to certification services by certifying members of the Jamaican labour force through assessing and recognising prior learning and filling in training gaps.

TVET and Jamaica  The provision of comprehensive, relevant training to individuals entering the workforce is an important goal pursued by the Jamaican TVET system.

TVET and Jamaica  While TVET continues to attract large numbers of young people, it suffers from negative perceptions which impact on its viability as an educational pathway  Consider this: Research suggests that TVET is portrayed as a low status, low quality education pathway

Economic Imperative for TVET Train and capacitate individuals to be competitive in the globally economic environment; Implications for Practice: In every occupational area, target learning outcomes that are at least on par with global standards, but we must emphasize teaching-learning strategies which are culturally and contextually relevant.

TVET Realities in Jamaica  TVET continues to attract large numbers of young and not so young people  Remains the key route through which young Jamaicans attempt to acquire needed skills for entry into the labour market

TVET Realities in Jamaica  TVET certified persons on the island are among the highest in the Region  The development and implementation of a TVET Policy is providing an opportunity to a high quality route to TVET certification

Perceptions/Findings TVET is for individuals who are academically weak and that a significant amount of TVET trainees are high school dropouts Parents, Policy makers, trainees/students suggest that TVET has a low return rates as persons accessing TVET are poor and cannot afford college education

Perceptions/Findings  Complaints among trainees/students that master craftsmen are hiding valuable skills  Some Respondents believed limited higher level employment for TVET graduates as employers require academic standings

Perceptions/Findings  Employee expectations, graduates struggle to meet the demands of professionalism and employability skills  Inability of employers securing evidence of competence from informal TVET trainees

Addressing Perceptions  Conduct promotional campaign to improve perception of TVET – Promote vocational pathways as viable education options for young people – Provide access to vocational training at an early age to improve understanding of training pathways and possible Careers

Addressing Perceptions  Develop Career Advice and Guidance System – Train teachers to be able to understand and communicate different options to young people – Collaborate with think tanks and associations, re-introduction of career guidance and counselling framework to improve understanding and transferability between learning pathways

Addressing Perceptions  Capacity Training for Master Craftsmen to be introduced – Training master craftsmen in standard delivery format to stem inconsistency in training approach and improve pedagogy/andragogy – Integrate master craftsmen in formal training system

Addressing Perceptions  Improve the Links Between Industry and Training – Address gaps between supply and demand of skills in the various sector – Develop common platform for employers engagement – Develop necessary links between industry and training to improve labour market information to drive training

Michael Manley (1972): When one considers the magnitude of the economic and attitudinal restructuring that our conditions demand, it becomes clear that the politics of conservatism and tinkering are not only irrelevant to our situation, but represent an intolerable default of responsibility. Man can adjust by tinkering, but he cannot transform. Nothing less than transformation can provide answers to the dilemmas within which we are currently trapped. (Excerpted form: Politics of Change