Preparing educators in TVET for building human capacity in the Caribbean [PowerPoint presentation]

Abstract

Human capacity development has been compromised in the Caribbean because of lack of proper preparation of educators for technical and vocational education and training (TVET). Many have argued that the preparation of skilled workers is a key issue for the competitiveness of economies all over the world. The debates are focused on delivering quality teacher education to deliver training of teachers of future workers in the global economy, while respecting the diversity of social, economic, and cultural situations. TVET teacher training programmes are also integral in producing competent academic professionals in this sector of education. To this end, Coolahan (2002) argued that the future well-being of the teaching profession is of critical importance. He further claimed that "it is only intelligent, highly skilled, imaginative, caring and highly educated teachers who will be able to respond satisfactorily to the demands placed on the education sector in developed societies." The paper therefore seeks to identify the shortcomings of technical and vocational teacher training programmes that prepare these professionals in the Caribbean, and makes recommendations for improving these programmes to meet the demands of TVET in the growing economies