1. Enhancing Skills in the Eastern Caribbean Cynthia Hobbs, Sr. Education Specialist World Bank, November 2007

2. Overview Why should we care about skills? School matters Preparing youth for the labour market Improving the link between school and work

3. The OECS economy is changing Source: World Bank (2005) based on ECCB data

4. New service jobs demand skilled workers Workers by education level per economic sector (Caribbean)

5. Overview Why should we care about skills? School matters Preparing youth for the labour market Improving the link between school and work

6. Education is the most important asset and can be a way out of poverty Source: Population and Household Census 2001, St. Vincent and the Grenadines OECS (St. Vincent & Grenadines): Salary by education level

7. Proficiency in literacy and numeracy skills is key CXC Pass Rates, 2003

8. 80% end schooling with secondary Secondary education is still very focused on preparation for tertiary (academic) studies School leavers enter labour market without strong basic skills Few labor market-oriented courses, little career counseling, and little help in transitioning to the world of work

9. Overview Why should we care about skills? School matters Preparing youth for the labour market Improving the link between school and work

10. Youth unemployment is high Youth unemployment leads to: Lost human capital Social inequality and deviant behaviour Carries economic costs Source: National Labor surveys and Population and Household Censuses from different years, 1991-2004 13% 56% 24% 11% 39% 0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% Antigua & Barbuda Dominica Grenada St. Kitts and Nevis St. Lucia St. Vincent & the G. % unemployment Adult Youth

11. Life skills for jobs Caribbean: Employers’ assessment of most desired skill set Source: Caribbean Knowledge and Learning Network: Labor Market Survey, 2006

12. Knowledge economy skills Growing focus on “life skills” Reliability, critical thinking, team work demanded by employers in the OECS Gradually being incorporated into curriculum, teaching, and examinations (CCSLC, CVQ) Quality and relevance of education (global assessment important)

13. Overview Why should we care about skills? School matters Preparing youth for the labour market Improving the link between school and work

14. How to close the career gaps? Do needs assessment, adjust offerings and enrolment, expand trainee/internships Broaden representation on external boards Track demand and job performance of graduates

15. How to close the career gaps? Expand access to post-secondary programs Enhance collaboration among small countries and regional institutions: CKLN, UWI Shift institutional focus towards “drivers of the local economy”

16. On-the-job training Low training of work force Source: Caribbean Investment Climate Assessment, World Bank (2005)

17. Reasons for little training Lack of emphasis and systemic approach Poaching and small size of firms Low recognition and value of training Incipient market for private training

18. How to enhance skills in the labor force Goal: Establish training programs with standards, financing and evaluations Standards: –Adopt regionally accepted standards (e.g. CVQ) –Inform workers and employers of standards (campaign) –Achieve regional recognition of education and training within CSME to facilitate professional mobility Finance: –Second chance education programs: 99% publicly financed –Increase labor unions’ focus on training –Employees: training levy? Monitoring and evaluation: –Expand successful programs

19. Conclusion: Analysis points to key challenges IssueNeedKey challenges Wide spread poverty (still) Higher access for the poor (quality education for all; second chance programs for youth) More investment (public and private) Learning and skills are critical (new knowledge economy) (i) Improved learning, especially in basic skills (ii) New “knowledge economy” skills -Accountability and testing -Teacher training and focus on competencies Increased specialization (new knowledge economy) (i) Better linkages with firms (ii) Lifelong learning -More collaboration between education levels and within the Caribbean -More employer participation -Qualification frameworks

20. Suggestions for the way forward Improve equitable access to quality education Broaden representation on governing boards of education institutions Involve private sector more directly in curriculum/ program decisions and require monetary contributions Expand use of CVQ and CCSLC Increase access to post-secondary education Improve monitoring and evaluation of student performance/ participate in global assessment Establish programs that address skills issues.