The Caribbean Community Secretariat is moving full speed ahead to put in place the necessary procedures to enable additional Member States to issue the Caribbean Vocational Qualifications (CVQ) in 2011.

To date, only three Member States of the 15-member grouping can issue the CVQ.

The CVQ was launched in October 2007 to facilitate the movement of artisans and other skilled persons in the CARICOM Single Market and Economy (CSME). The CARICOM Council for Human and Social Development had played a pivotal role in establishing the Common Standards and Framework to facilitate the introduction of this new qualification.

At its 20th three-day meeting in Georgetown, Guyana last week, that Council discussed current regional arrangements for the Award of the CVQ as well as procedures for approval of regional occupational standards.

The Council noted that while some Member States had built up capacity to offer this certification, others were still getting ready. In this regard therefore, the COHSOD gave the approval for the Secretariat to put in place the necessary procedures for additional countries to issue the CVQ.

This qualification will be accessible to persons already in the workforce as well as students in secondary schools across the Caribbean region. Those already in the work force will be required to attend designated centres for assessment and will be certified through their National Training Agencies (NTA) while those in schools will be certified through arrangements with the Caribbean Examination Council (CXC).

The Region looks forward to reaping those benefits as more countries move to offer the CVQ.