In a landmark policy shift, Barbados is fundamentally restructuring its educational priorities to place technical and vocational training on equal footing with traditional academic pathways. The government’s newly launched Tertiary Construction Grant represents a strategic investment in positioning skilled tradespeople at the core of the nation’s economic transformation agenda.
The inaugural awards ceremony, held at the Ministry of Educational Transformation, celebrated the first cohort of recipients who will receive full funding for training in critical construction trades including carpentry, masonry, electrical installation, plumbing, tiling, and welding. These programs will be administered through the Samuel Jackman Prescod Institute of Technology (SJPI) and the Barbados Vocational Training Board.
Minister of Training and Tertiary Education Sandra Husbands characterized the initiative as a ‘watershed moment’ for Barbadian education, acknowledging past systemic failures. ‘We have neglected too many children for too long,’ Husbands stated, revealing that approximately 40% of students graduate with proficiency in two or fewer subjects. ‘This indicates not that our children cannot learn, but that we have not created an educational system that helps everyone to learn.’
The minister emphasized the urgent need for a national mindset shift, challenging the longstanding perception of vocational training as a secondary option. ‘People are born with different skill sets, all of which are necessary for life,’ she asserted. ‘Trades are critical to our built environment, critical to economic growth, and critical for national development.’
This educational transformation directly addresses Barbados’ current construction boom, with nine hotels scheduled for development requiring approximately 7,000-9,000 construction workers and nearly 10,000 hospitality staff. ‘We must capitalize on this opportunity to secure the quality of life Barbados wants to offer its citizens,’ Husbands emphasized.
The ministry also announced plans for a modern welding plant at SJPI to meet international demand, noting that skilled welders in neighboring Guyana can earn approximately $3,000 daily—demonstrating the substantial economic potential of technical mastery.
Grant recipients expressed enthusiasm for both the opportunity and validation the program provides. Tiffany Kinch, one of the female participants, shared her journey from informal construction experience to pursuing formal qualifications: ‘I want the actual certification rather than just learning on the job.’ Fellow recipient Faden Blackman, studying carpentry and joinery, highlighted the creative satisfaction and community contribution possible through skilled trades.
Minister Husbands concluded with a call to action for private sector involvement, urging established tradespeople to provide mentorship and workplaces to offer training opportunities, ensuring the next generation fully develops their capabilities.