PM Gonsalves urges youth to get CVQ certified as construction booms in the country

By Admin. Updated 8:39 p.m., Monday, August 29, 2022, Atlantic Standard Time (GMT-4).

A rendering of the planned Marriott Mt. Wynne Resort, St Vincent. Photo: Camillo Gonsalves Facebook page.

With the current boom in construction in St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Prime Minister Dr. Ralph Gonsalves has called on the nation’s youth to get their Caribbean Vocational Qualifications “sorted out”.

According to an August 29 press release from the Agency for public information – API, Dr. Gonsalves said:

“Contractors are asking me for work permits to bring in skilled carpenters, skilled masons, skilled plumbers….so young people who are listening, get on board with these skills and for those with the skills, make sure you check the Ministry of Education, and get the Caribbean Vocational Qualifications sorted out.

Currently, several private sector projects are in construction phases, including the Holiday Inn Express at Diamond, Royal Mills at Ratho Mill, and Blacksands Resort at Peter’s Hope.

Work on the Holiday Inn Express at Diamond.

The modern $650 million port project at Kingstown is also set to come on stream, and construction of the Acute Referral Hospital at Arnos Vale is set to begin next year. Construction is also set to take place on the Marriott Hotel at Mount Wynne.

In response to these projects and the need for more skilled Labour, Dr. Gonsalves whontecely assumed the ministerial portfolio of Tertiary Education and Skills Training said the Government will place an even greater emphasis on Technical and Vocational Education.

According to the API, the prime minister stressed the need for a major thrust in technical/vocational education “beyond what we have now….in order to provide the manpower for the paradigm shift in the economy”.

Labour needs

The Prime Minister noted with a veritable boom in the construction industry, there is a scarcity of skilled workers as many have taken up opportunities regionally and even further afield.

Dr. Gonsalves said contractors on major projects have even asked permission for skilled workers to be brought into the country.

The Prime Minister is scheduled to meet with the top tier of the St Vincent and the Grenadines Community College on Friday.