Turks and Caicos Islands Government Completes National Skills Audit

#TurksandCaicos, March 1, 2018 – Providenciales – The Turks and Caicos Islands Government, under the direction of the Ministry of Border Control and Employment, has conducted a National Skills Audit, which assesses the level of skills that are currently available throughout the country and the demographic attributes of each skill set.

The report was completed and presented to Cabinet in August 2017 by consultant Dunn Pierre Barnett and Associates Limited (DPBA), located in Toronto, Canada, and Kingston, Jamaica.

The Turks and Caicos Islands National Skills Audit and Migration Study provides insight and information on the skills and knowledge needs and imbalances within the country and it also identifies the occupations and skills required to meet the changing needs of the economy and labour market.

It is the vision and intention of the Government to have this report utilized as a guide for its own educational policies, and that of other educational establishments, on the introduction and offering of vocational programmes, career and personal development.  This approach would lead to more targeted training and development and better recruitment to meet the needs for sustainable development of a vibrant and competitive workforce in the Turks and Caicos Islands.

The information contained in the audit will further enable all stakeholders – government, employers, individuals, universities, colleges, other training providers, social and political actors – to make well-informed decisions about which areas of the economy that are most likely to provide opportunities in terms of employment and economic growth, and about the areas of possible skills shortages and deficiencies, now and in the future.

In appreciation for the changing trends in the populace in recent years, the study looks at the impact on population growth, including inward and outward migration in the TCI, the employment and skills of migrants, the social and economic challenges that they face in the TCI, and the impact on their dependents.

Deputy Premier Hon. Sean Astwood stated that; “I am pleased that the National Skills Audit is now complete.  This document is a blueprint that can be used for the future development of the Turks and Caicos Islands especially as we, in this critical time, seek to focus on the education system and its offerings, the development of our people and the revamping of our employment services to ensure that Turks and Caicos Islanders are not marginalized in their own country.”

The Commissioner of Labour, Edwin Taylor remarked that; “The National Skills Audit provides the TCIG with more accurate knowledge of current competency levels within the country.  This knowledge can assist individuals with career pathing and provide skills gap information for future scholarship allocation.  I am hoping this information can assist us in partnering more with the private sector, and focusing more of our training efforts to build local capacity.”

In February 2018 the Audit was presented to the Ministry of Education in an exchange of hands between the Deputy Premier and Minister of Border Control and Employment, Hon Sean R. Astwood, and the Minister with responsibility for Education, the Hon. Karen Malcolm.

Click here to view the full report.