Against the backdrop of rapid advances in artificial intelligence and an increasingly competitive job market, Minister of Tertiary Education and Skills Training, Professor Prakash Persad, says skills training must be given serious consideration.
Speaking at an awards ceremony for UTT’s Renewable Rivalry competition held on Wednesday at its Chaguanas Campus, he said greater attention must be placed on skills training.
“If you look at the situation worldwide, young people are having difficulty getting jobs. Worldwide, not only in Trinidad and Tobago, worldwide. We hear about AI continuously, and AI is billions of dollars, over five hundred billion dollars is being spent on AI in some countries, and you know what is the keep back? What’s the impediment in implementing AI? The carpenters, the plumbers, the electricians, because we need to build, you know, the infrastructure for it.”
At UTT’s Renewable Energy Award Ceremony, Primary and Secondary students were recognised for their innovation and ideas at the University of Trinidad and Tobago’s Renewable Energy Award Competition.
At the Primary School level, participants were challenged to create an interactive children’s book exploring renewable energy themes.
The top prize went to Guardians of the Earth from the Brasso Venado Government Primary School.
Meanwhile, Secondary-level students were tasked with developing a functional board game focused on renewable energy and climate resilience — first place was claimed by Green Energy from Naparima Girls’ High School.
Acting President of UTT, Professor Rean Maharaj, said the university is continuing its efforts to ensure students are well equipped to explore and pursue renewable energy education.
“We have trained master trainers, teachers, and community development officers, equipping them with the knowledge and tools to deliver content in renewable energy, energy efficiency, and environmental responsibility. We have expanded this effort to reach over 250 teachers across multiple cohorts, and engage more than 1,200 students across 69 schools.”
Executive Chairman of UTT, Professor Selwyn Cudjoe, commended both students and teachers for their creativity and innovation in addressing challenges related to sustainable energy.