Bridging The Skills Gap – TVET Reshapes T&T’s Workforce

September 26th, 2025

Previously considered a secondary, trade-specific option, technical training is now recognised as a strategic driver of national development. Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET), once centred on manual skills and industrial labour, has evolved over the past 25 years into a comprehensive educational pathway that blends technical skills, foundational knowledge, and work-ready attitudes. At NESC Technical Institute (NESC-TI), this progress is reflected in new two-year diplomas and shorter micro-credential programmes, complemented by the Centre for Entrepreneurship, which empowers learners to become skilled innovators and business owners.

From Hands-On to High-Tech

This holistic approach enables students to graduate with more than just technical know-how; they are adaptable, think critically, and are committed to lifelong learning throughout their careers. Reflecting this shift, NESC-TI President Kern Dass shared, “Today’s TVET students are more entrepreneurial and digitally savvy. We’re seeing women entering traditional male-dominated fields like welding, electrical installation, and drilling.”

With automation, artificial intelligence (AI), and new business models transforming the employment landscape, Dass notes that the TVET discipline is adapting by focusing on the development of soft and hard skills. “Employers are seeking individuals who can solve problems, communicate effectively, collaborate in teams, and accept feedback constructively. Being able to manage yourself and lead is becoming just as important as any technical skill.” He went on to emphasise that these technological advances do not eliminate the need for human workers; they reinvent it. TVET programmes in Trinidad and Tobago prepare students for new occupations by teaching them how to work alongside technology, while also strengthening their human-centred skills, such as decision-making, ethical considerations, and contextual awareness.

Innovating Education for Energy Transition

The TVET system helps prepare graduates for the world of work through its close ties with industry. From the onset, students are equipped with industry-specific gear, allowing them to gain practical experience from the start, Dass explained. NESC-TI actively collaborates with private sector stakeholders, government agencies, and regional institutions to ensure training programmes are aligned with national and regional workforce priorities.

One clear example of this alignment is NESC-TI’s newest Renewable Energy Technology Services Programme, launched in February 2025. It equips students to work in the renewable energy sector, armed with firsthand knowledge of sustainable energy systems, including solar, wind, and hydrogen. Graduates receive training in technical aspects, such as installation, maintenance, and system diagnostics, as well as the broader competencies required by the industry, including environmental awareness, energy efficiency, and project management. Programmes like these help Trinidad and Tobago strike a balance between economic growth and sustainability, Dass stated.

Training Tomorrow’s Workforce Today

While the TVET education sector is lauded for its role in developing the next generation of leaders, the field is still devalued by some who view it as second-tier to traditional academic education. Despite this, Dass remains hopeful about achieving parity of esteem between TVET and mainstream education in the years to come. “There’s growing recognition that technical training is not a lesser path; it’s simply a different one,” he noted.

NESCTI’s push to cultivate well-rounded, entrepreneurial learners aligns with the Ministry of Education’s 2023-2027 TVET policy direction, which encourages the integration of entrepreneurship into the TVET curriculum at all levels. At the same time, Dass stressed that the discipline’s future impact depends on strengthening the articulation pathways between TVET and higher education, allowing learners to transition seamlessly from a Caribbean Vocational Qualification (CVQ) to a higher education degree, building adaptable skills for career resilience.

Dass expressed that even with challenges ahead, the TVET education sector remains dedicated to empowering all students to succeed: “At NESC-TI, students finally get to do what they love. They thrive in a hands-on environment and are fully engaged in shaping a future they’re excited about.”

By Jeanette G. Awai