The Youth Training and Employment Partnership Programme (YTEPP) and the Tourism Industry Association of T&T (TIATT) have formalised a partnership aimed at creating employment opportunities for trainees within the tourism sector.
Minister of Tertiary Education and Skills Training, Professor Prakash Persad, says the Government is working to eliminate the silo approach among tertiary institutions and reduce duplication across the country’s education and training system.
“We are reducing the amount of duplication that there is. We can’t duplicate, at all levels, at university levels, at the technical training institutes also. That is what we are doing, and the programme is in place, and very shortly, we will announce publicly that an articulation agreement with all the institutions will come together so we can be more effective using the taxpayers’ dollars more effectively in training people.”
The Minister joined the CEO and Chairman of YTEPP on Wednesday as they signed a Memorandum of Cooperation with TIATT.
TIATT President Lisa Shandilya explained that the partnership will allow YTEPP trainees to benefit from job opportunities within the tourism sector.
“In terms of what we are trying to do and establish in this MOU is to get them trained to come out and work in the working area. Again, there are so many other hotels that are growing. Tobago will also have a number of hotels coming into play, and therefore the industry needs people so that these people will be getting employed at these properties.”
YTEPP CEO Raymond Surujbally shared some of the institution’s latest developments under his leadership, with courses now being offered in rural communities.
“We would’ve embarked on some stakeholder engagement with Guaracara Refinery Company. Thankfully, I am a Director there as well, so I would’ve engaged the Board and the management, and in the near future we are going to do a one-month introductory course in valve maintenance, welding, and pipe fitting where we will be focusing with the fence line communities and providing a level of training.”
He added that the partnership is a precursor to a recently approved apprenticeship programme.
Mr Surujbally said the institution is also seeking to embark on a hydroponic programme with Paria Fuel Trading Company that will benefit the community of Claxton Bay.