ENHANCING SKILLS FOR THE NEW WORKFORCE

1. ENHANCING SKILLS FOR THE NEW WORKFORCE IMPLICATIONS FOR RURAL DEVELOPMENT

2. REGIONAL CONTEXT • A significant decline in productivity and production of agricultural exports. 16% dependence on agriculture for employment in the OECS, although agriculture contributes only 7% of GDP. • An open global trading environment which is unsympathetic to weak and uncompetitive production. • A rural population with limited skill sets, particularly in applying new technologies, marketing and managing businesses. • Policy support and business services which still remain weak and uncoordinated.

3. STRATEGIES FOR COMPETITIVENESS – THE SKILLS FACTOR • The Caribbean is losing its competitiveness. New strategies must be built on an enhanced skills base. “With the recent weakening of the traditional sources of growth, and given that wages are high, [businesses] need to move up the value chain…making the need for skilled labour paramount”. – World Bank • Low cost, low value work is “out”. New products, new markets and more efficient ways of production must be found to achieve future competitiveness and increased employment.

4. SOURCES OF HIGHER VALUE • New, technologically advanced production processes. • Differentiation of products and services in the market place (marketing techniques). • Creating new products or processes and bringing them to market (Innovation). • Finding new uses for old products • Applying modern business principles

5. MOVING AGRICULTURE TO THE NEXT LEVEL - THE EDUCATION CHALLENGE • Universal Secondary Education a Must • Use of new technological and business processes should be part of new curriculum. • Learning should include the soft skills – critical thinking, problem solving, team work, ability to apply theory to practice, ongoing learning. • Teach entrepreneurship for self-employment. • Strengthen career guidance. Improve the image! Aim: An adaptable, trainable, learning worker-citizen who can identify market opportunities.

6. DEVELOPING RELEVANT SKILLS • Literacy Programmes • Building Blocks of Skills • Team of skills needed • Assess skill sets • Move schools to community

7. OPPORTUNITIES FOR VALUE-ADDED BUSINESSES • New Tourism Niches: - Eco Tourism - Rural/Community Tourism - Agro tourism - Health tourism [IDB conference] • Medicinal Herbs -For teas, tonics, spices and general health care. • Golf Course planning and maintenance.

8. Adding Value to Foods • Fresh foods: Regional and Export market. • Prepared and canned foods and drinks. • Organic Foods. Value through marketing: • Differentiate through quality, branding and distribution to specialty stores. • Build a Caribbean brand, a franchise brand. • Take advantage of tourism marketing and sports achievements.

9. REDUCING THE SKILLS/WORK MISMATCH –INTEGRATED PLANNING • In Government: integrated planning for success including Education, Agriculture, IT, Labour, Environment. • Two-way flow of information from the field to the class room (secondary and tertiary) • Private sector involvement in curriculum design, delivery, including joint ventures with post-secondary students for innovation.