In a significant address at the annual Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) Expo, Antigua and Barbuda’s Education Minister Daryll Matthew presented a compelling vision of artificial intelligence as a transformative partner rather than a threat to skilled professions. The minister’s remarks, delivered during Wednesday’s opening ceremony, positioned practical expertise as the cornerstone of sustainable national development.
Minister Matthew articulated that technological advancements are amplifying rather than diminishing the need for adaptable, skilled workers. “No country can build sustainably without engineers, technicians, artisans, coders, electricians, hospitality professionals and agro-processors,” he stated, emphasizing that these competencies form the nucleus of national progress. While acknowledging AI’s data processing capabilities, Matthew highlighted the irreplaceable human elements of system installation, infrastructure maintenance, results interpretation, and practical problem-solving.
This philosophy is formally embedded within the government’s Education Sector Strategy, which elevates technical and vocational training to equal standing with traditional academic pathways. The strategy specifically targets enhanced employability, formal certification, and economic resilience through its implementation.
Echoing these sentiments, Director of Education Clare Browne addressed the ceremony under the expo’s theme “Design, Develop, Learn and Grow.” Browne asserted that “a modern education system must equip students to shape the digital world, not just navigate it,” advocating for seamless integration of academic learning with technical and vocational qualifications.
The two-day exposition showcases extensive student innovation across diverse fields including fashion design, electronics, condiment production, floral artistry, and crafts. The opening ceremony featured a student-led fashion show, providing tangible demonstration of the creative and technical skills being cultivated through Antigua and Barbuda’s renewed educational focus.