BRIDGETOWN, Barbados, Jan 08 2015, CNS - Renewable energy education is about to be launched in Barbados.

That is how the Samuel Jackman Prescod Polytechnic’s (SJPP) Acting Curriculum Development Industrial Liaison Officer Audrey Jones-Drayton has described the introduction of the island’s first ever training course in photovoltaic installations which will be offered at the tertiary institution.

Explaining the rationale behind the start-up, Jones-Drayton said the SJPP undertook a Labour Market Survey in collaboration with Sault College in Sainte Marie, Ontario, Canada and found that approximately 200 people needed to be trained in renewable energy-related areas.

“So, with this course, what we are really launching is renewable energy education in Barbados. And, we are expecting there will be great interest in it and a high level of participation,” she said.

Noting that in 2014 the SJPP had, under the Caribbean Education for Employment (C-EFE) progamme, partnered with Sault College, Canada’s most highly recognised training institution in the field of renewable energy, Ms. Jones-Drayton declared: “Through this partnership, the Polytechnic will strengthen the capacity of its staff to manage and deliver demand-driven, learner-centred, competency-based education towards the Caribbean Vocational Qualification (CVQ) in renewable energy, among other outcomes.”

The partnership is also supported by the technical Vocational and Educational Training (TVET) council, as well as the SJPP Advisory Committee for Renewable Energy, comprising educators and leading entrepreneurs and manufacturers within the industry.

The new programme, Photovoltaic Installations 1, will be launched on January 20.