TaiwanICDF Supports Caribbean Ally Through Vocational Training: Over 90% of Trainees Earn First-Ever NVQ Level I Certification

(中央社訊息服務20250930 17:36:05)The Taiwan Technical Mission in Saint Kitts and Nevis held a graduation ceremony for its National Vocational Qualifications (NVQ) training program on September 4 at the Cuna Conference Center. The event was graced by key officials including Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Education Dr. Geoffrey Hanley, Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) Council Chairman Fitzroy Wilkins, Clarence Fitzroy Bryant College (CFBC) Acting President Dr. Moya Waltham, TVET Council CEO Dr. Kertney Thompson, Taiwan’s Ambassador to Saint Kitts and Nevis Edward Tao, as well as program graduates and guests, bringing the total attendance to around 120.

Certificates were awarded to participants from four major vocational fields: welding, carpentry, electrical work, and air-conditioning and refrigeration. Trainees also showcased their skills during the ceremony. Over the six-month program, 39 trainees completed nearly 300 hours of practical training. Notably, 36 of them—more than 92%—successfully earned the nation’s first-ever NVQ Level I certification (NVQ-SKN), marking a milestone in Saint Kitts and Nevis’ efforts over two decades to strengthen vocational education. In addition, the training program furthered women’s empowerment efforts, with many female trainees overcoming challenges to complete the program.

Deputy Prime Minister Hanley said his government would establish the Christopher-Wilkin Technical Institute to ensure graduates are equipped with practical skills aligned with regional standards. The institute will leverage simulators and emerging technologies to train the next generation of skilled graduates, ensuring the long-term sustainability of national talent development. Ambassador Tao said that the training program represents another milestone in the collaboration between the TaiwanICDF and the government of Saint Kitts and Nevis on skills development. He encouraged graduates by saying that graduation is not an end but a new beginning, and that the certificates in their hands are the best proof of their professional competence.

TaiwanICDF Deputy Secretary General Peifen Hsieh emphasized that in order to support post-pandemic economic recovery in Taiwan’s Latin American and Caribbean allies, and to strengthen women’s economic empowerment as a foundation for social stability, the TaiwanICDF has combined financial services with employment and entrepreneurship counseling to assist women and micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises in overcoming pandemic impacts and advancing recovery. She emphasized that this training program reflects the principles of gender equality and skills empowerment, highlighting the transformative impact of education and training on individuals, families, and communities.