The Point Lisas Industrial Apprenticeship Programme, better known as PLIAP, is now aligned with Trinidad and Tobago’s national apprenticeship framework, giving the long-running initiative formal policy recognition.
This according to Minister of Tertiary Education and Skills Training, Professor Prakash Persad, speaking during NESC Technical Institute’s Apprentice Appreciation and Industry Networking Reception on Friday.
One of the most successful apprenticeship programmes is now positioned within the country’s national apprenticeship framework.
Minister of Tertiary Education and Skills Training, Professor Prakash Persad said the recently approved National Apprenticeship Policy provides formal recognition for programmes such as the Point Lisas Industrial Apprenticeship Programme, or PLIAP, which has been training skilled workers for more than a decade.
Speaking at NESC Technical Institute’s Apprentice Appreciation and Industry Networking Reception, he said the policy strengthens Government’s push to better connect education, industry and workforce development.
“So this is something, it’s a national policy now, and PLIAP would fall into that. So I don’t know if you call it tie up now. The Trinidad and Tobago, you know, national policy, but there’s one now. And what we’re doing increasingly is trying to link up with foreign firms and foreign agencies to ensure that the training is applicable, certification elsewhere.”
He also stressed that practical skills training will become even more important as industries become increasingly technology-driven.
“The economy is becoming more and more technology-oriented, more and more. And therefore, practical training is becoming more and more important. And that’s why these programmes are essentially absolutely critical to the development of the country for diversification. So that is why we did a national apprenticeship policy to ensure it’s there. We can develop the workforce.”
NESC President Kern Dass highlighted the programme’s impact since its launch, noting strong employment outcomes among graduates.
“Since the program began, more than 350 apprentices have successfully completed this PLIAP program, 350. And here’s the real deal. 80% of those apprentices secure employment at their host companies. So something working.”
The Point Lisas Industrial Apprenticeship Programme (PLIAP) is a two-year technical training initiative designed to produce highly skilled, job-ready journeymen for the industrial sector.