By St. Paul’s News Team
July 27 2026 | Regional
The Caribbean is taking another major step toward modernising technical and vocational education, with the successful completion of a regional initiative that has developed new online learning courses tailored specifically for Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) students across CARICOM.
Speaking during the project’s virtual closing ceremony, Deputy Programme Manager for Education at the CARICOM Secretariat and Project Manager for the Digitalization of TVET Delivery Project, Dr. Denise Stoney-James, said the initiative was designed to provide a practical, Caribbean-led solution to the region’s growing need for digital transformation in education.
“CARICOM TVET institutions needed a practical, regionally owned pathway to accelerate digital transformation, not borrowed models, but solutions built for CARICOM Member States,” she said.
Dr. Stoney-James described the project as a powerful example of regional collaboration, noting that it demonstrates what can be achieved when Caribbean countries work together toward a common objective.
“This initiative sought to harness digital technology to transform Technical and Vocational Education and Training across the Caribbean. It reflects the power of regional cooperation and the importance of solutions tailored to our own realities,” she added.
The Digitalisation of TVET Delivery Project was implemented through a partnership involving the CARICOM Secretariat, the Brazilian Cooperation Agency, and several regional institutions.
As part of the initiative, three online learning units were developed specifically for CARICOM learners. Instructors, instructional designers, monitors and project focal points from Barbados, Grenada, Jamaica, and Trinidad and Tobago also received specialised training to ensure the programmes can continue long after the project’s completion.
The project also produced culturally relevant digital learning materials featuring Caribbean instructors and examples drawn from regional industries and communities. Supporting technical infrastructure and governance systems were established to ensure the long-term sustainability of the courses, while the programmes were integrated into national education platforms to promote country ownership.
Special incentive programmes encouraged participation among women and traditionally underrepresented groups, while regional exchanges and professional learning communities strengthened collaboration and knowledge sharing among educators.
According to Dr. Stoney-James, the project has already delivered significant results.
Regional capacity for digital TVET instruction has been substantially strengthened, with the four pilot countries successfully integrating the new digital solutions into their national platforms. The initiative has also created a sustainable model that reduces dependence on external support while laying the groundwork for expansion across other CARICOM Member States.
She said several countries have already expressed interest in adopting the model.
“The project not only delivered immediate results but also created the conditions for sustainable expansion, positioning CARICOM TVET systems to meet the demands of a rapidly evolving digital economy,” Dr. Stoney-James stated.
The initiative also reinforced an important lesson for policymakers and educators: successful digital transformation depends less on technology itself and more on the readiness and commitment of institutions to adopt and sustain innovation.
“Sustainable digital transformation depends not only on the solutions we build, but on the capacity of institutions to adopt, own, and sustain them over time,” she noted.
For years, TVET institutions across the Caribbean have faced challenges in expanding access to high-quality digital training and Industry 4.0 skills.
Many also lacked learning materials aligned with Caribbean Vocational Qualifications (CVQs) and the evolving needs of regional employers, creating a disconnect between workforce training and labour market demands.
The Digitalisation of TVET Delivery Project was designed to bridge those gaps by strengthening institutional capacity, reducing disparities among member states, and creating educational content rooted in Caribbean realities.
The project was first developed in November 2022 by the CARICOM Secretariat in collaboration with the Caribbean Association of National Training Authorities (CANTA). It later secured €700,000 in technical support through the Trilateral Technical Cooperation involving Brazil, the European Union, and Germany.
Brazil’s National Service for Industrial Training (SENAI), one of the world’s largest technical and vocational training institutions, served as a key implementation partner, leading the conversion of traditional TVET programmes into online courses.
Project planning began in 2023 through a series of virtual meetings involving regional and international partners, culminating in a planning workshop held in Brasilia, Brazil, as the foundation was laid for what CARICOM officials believe will be a more resilient, accessible and digitally connected future for vocational education across the region.