Philosophy on Tvet

Assignment 1

Course: Philosophical Foundations of TVET and WFD EDTV6000
Lecturer: Dr. Halden Morris

Student: Lois Bernard
ID#: 620042153

Date: October 3, 2011.

I have to admit that my formal knowledge of Technical and Vocational Education and training was somewhat limited prior to the beginning of this course, Philosophical Foundations of TVET and Workforce Development. My interest has now deepen as I now realise that I have experienced the hands of TVET since high school and now as an educator in training in the field of Educational Administration. As a matter of fact, I have felt with great sadness, a sense of un-accomplishment after graduating from my first tertiary institution. I was a product of the educated masses without any form of workforce training.

Technical and Vocational Education and Training is I believe the hallmark of a successful country and contented citizens. For too long have we sat back and allowed local and international groups railroad our Country Jamaica and its resources to satisfy our personal agenda. I read with disappointment the statistics stated by our Education Minister during the launch of Heart College of Innovation and Technology recently. It read that in a study conducted by the Statistical Institute of Jamaica (STATIN), from a group of over one million people, 71% of the workforce were without job training. This means that the very large group are wasting precious time and regressing our country’s productivity rate. In addition, time needed to train these people placed in the workforce is very expensive. I believe that as a TVET practitioner, we need to join with the pack of researchers in the field of TVET and revolutionise our country, region and the world at large. Policy makers have the power to and should turn their attention in implementing TVET programs into schools and other institutions. Stakeholders such as private sectors need to join forces with schools and colleges to develop TVET in such a way that it can be given the respect it deserves. Everyone needs to be equipped for the workforce. Those already in the workforce must become more competent through to utilise the best technology available to do their jobs. Educators should promote and TVET skills within the schools. Some secondary schools can benefit for example in learning how to design products that can be sold to community or to companies nearby. It has started, but I believe the bell for productivity and call for TVET in Jamaica and the Caribbean needs to be sounded louder.
One of the biggest stumbling blocks I believe lies within the mindset of our people. Although there has been some acceptance of TVET as more than ‘hammer and nails’, there needs to be a more informed approach and understanding of TVET. It is a skill that all must thrive to embrace, accepting that engineers, construction builders, architects, school principals, managers and doctors, all need TVET skills to learn and effectively carry out their duties. We will have far more engineers and highly skilled personnel in the workforce if these are exposed to our children early.
As a TVET practitioner in School Management, I believe it is my duty to educate first myself, teachers and students on the importance of TVET. I believe I can be a voice that beckons the attention of all Jamaicans at large to get involved and do their part in creating production waves and economic strength in our country and empowering the workforce to do just that- through the use and application of TVET.

Reference
Thomas, C. (2011, September 21). More emphasis on technical vocational training. The Gleaner, page 10.