The Ministry of Education, Science and Culture has initiated the development of a comprehensive national strategy and action plan for Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) spanning 2025–2030. This ambitious initiative aims to bridge the gap between educational offerings and labor market demands while enhancing employment prospects for both youth and adults across Suriname.
Funded through the Caribbean Development Bank’s Enhancement of Technical and Vocational Education and Training (ETVET) Project with a substantial investment of $21.9 million USD, this program seeks to significantly improve the quality, relevance, and accessibility of vocational education throughout the nation.
The forthcoming National TVET Strategy will serve as a guiding framework for policy reforms and strategic investments over the next five years. Particular emphasis will be placed on aligning educational outcomes with market needs, addressing existing skills gaps, and supporting the country’s economic priorities according to ministry officials.
International consulting firm Dunn, Pierre, Barnett & Company has been contracted to lead the strategy development in collaboration with the TVET Council Barbados. The implementation process involves close coordination with the Directorate of Vocational Education, the Suriname National Training Authority, and representatives from both public and private sectors.
The project officially commenced on January 12, 2026, followed by a strategic planning workshop from January 13-15. During these intensive sessions, stakeholders established a shared vision and mission for the TVET system while outlining the preliminary framework for the national strategy and five-year action plan.
The next phase will involve sector-specific interviews and educational conferences to ensure broad stakeholder engagement in the policy refinement and validation process. The finalized National TVET Strategy and 2025–2030 Action Plan are expected to contribute significantly to creating a sustainable, forward-looking vocational education system while structurally strengthening Suriname’s human capital development.