22 complete ‘historic’ CXC/CVQ course

History was made yesterday, when a group of participants became the first Vincentians to gain Caribbean Vocational Qualification (CVQ) certification, after completing a course in Electrical Installation.

On Monday, September 28, the Adult and Continuing Education (ACE) Unit hosted the handing over of preliminary slips to 22 participants, who now hold Level 1 certification.{{more}}

Director of the ACE Unit Frances Palmer, in delivering her address, expressed how pleased she is to be involved in this venture and recalled that when she initially began, she had not realized how “historic” it would be.

“It’s historical from more than one point of view. The amount of males in the programme – that’s one. The fact that it was never done before – that’s two. I was really excited when I heard that it was so historic!” enthused Palmer.

She also noted that the CVQ course is “providing a pathway for persons who did not have any kind of qualifications or certification”.

“This CXC second chance programme… is providing the framework for people to get certification that otherwise would not have any at all.”

CVQ is a “competency based approach” to training, assessment and certification, with certification attainable on five levels. It was introduced by the Caribbean Examinations Council (CXC), and was developed by practitioners, industry experts and employers across the CARICOM region.

Palmer added: “Let’s use what we have to do positive things, and create a positive environment, and to create a positive future for ourselves, our children and our grandchildren.”

Also giving remarks was Leroy Rock, zonal coordinator within the ACE Unit.

“We in Adult Education… are very serious about certifying our clients… So, we have gone a little further to involve the Caribbean Examination Council.”

Rock said that other than the basic numeracy and literacy programmes available through the ACE Unit, it also offers certification in Caribbean Certificate of Secondary Level Competence (CCSLC), Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC), and now the CVQ.

He said that this new addition in certification not only improves the holder’s chances of gaining employment throughout the region, but is also indicative of the “upward movement” of this Government’s Education Revolution.

“It’s a drastic change in the milestone in terms of education in St Vincent and the Grenadines… Take all opportunities given to advance yourself and upgrade yourself… you’re never too old to learn.”

Dwight Lewis, director of the National Qualifications Unit and director of the Sector Skills Development Agency, briefly outlined the function and purpose of the SSDA, and also congratulated the participants on their “historic” success.

“In the last four years or so, we have been certifying persons in technical institutes throughout St Vincent and the Grenadines…”

Lewis encouraged the participants to attain higher levels of the CVQ course they had just completed.

“It is important that while you pursue your certificate, that you encourage other persons to pursue certifications as well… Don’t stay at this level; move to the next level!”

Orpen Keil, lead facilitator on the CVQ course, also gave brief remarks. He congratulated the course organizers and those working “tirelessly” within the ACE Unit, and lauded the participants for their hard work over the duration of the course.

At the event, another CVQ course in Cosmetology was introduced, which will see 50 persons taking part over a three-month period. (JSV)