The Caribbean Community (CARICOM) on Monday launched a CARICOM Skilled Workers Programme coinciding with the component for secondary school teachers in the region.
Under the initiative, 19 CARICOM teachers are being placed on two-week attachments to secondary schools in Barbados, Belize, Guyana, St. Kitts and Nevis, and Trinidad and Tobago from March 6- 17.
Other components of the Skilled Workers Programme which will be rolled out later this year involve, attachments to the CARICOM Secretariat for CARICOM Youth Ambassadors; attachments to other CARICOM Member States for Border Control Officers, and National CSME Focal Points.
CARICOM Secretary General, Dr. Carla Barnett said that the initiative provides opportunities for learning best practices to administer the CARICOM Single Market and Economy (CSME) regimes that allow for the free movement of goods, skills, labour, and services across the 15-member grouping.
“The intention is to also develop practical skills through work-related attachments, which will assist member states to implement the CSME, and decisions of the organs and bodies of the Community,” she said.
She told the ceremony that another part of the plan is to have effective advocates for CARICOM integration, through the exposure given to participants.
“Thus, the targeted groups have been selected for the critical role they can play in implementing, in sustaining training at the national level and in advocacy in respect of the CSME, in particular, the free movement of CARICOM skilled nationals.”
“Our research and observations over the years indicate the need for improved understanding of procedures, as well as adherence to guidelines for operation of the CSME. Low levels of knowledge of the issuance of the relevant certificates to facilitate access to the various regimes are also noted.”
Barnett said the absence of such basic knowledge can adversely impact the ability or willingness of Caribbean nationals to capitalize on the free movement regimes.
“Against this background, an assessment of the impact of our CSME public education recommended ongoing training for immigration personnel, as they are the primary facilitators and gatekeepers of free movement. Interactive programmes for the youth and entrenchment of the CSME in the school curriculum are among other recommended measures.”
She said in continuing to engage member states, the Guyana-based CARICOM Secretariat developed the programme which involves one-week work attachments of border officials in different member states to allow for sharing of best practices in the administration of the Free Movement Regime for Skilled Nationals.
The programme will also allow for the placement of CSME focal points in the private and public sectors, and regional institutions for one week with the focal points benefitting from observing and sharing best practices in operations of the CSME in key areas.
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