Government Allocates $4.4 Million to Technical and Vocational Training Amid Skills Shortage

By Val Matthias. Updated 6:23 a.m., Friday, January 30, 2026, Atlantic Standard Time (GMT-4). 

The Government of St. Vincent and the Grenadines has earmarked $4.471 million for technical and vocational education in the 2026 Estimates of Revenue and Expenditure, a move officials say is critical to addressing the country’s widening skills gap.  

State Minister in the Ministry of Education, Innovation, Digital Transformation and Information, Senator Lavern King, made the announcement during her formal contribution to the budget debate, stressing that skills development will be a “major pillar of economic growth” under the current administration.  

King highlighted that consultations with private sector stakeholders earlier this week revealed deep dissatisfaction with the shortage of skilled workers in the country. 

“We are at a point where we are bringing in workers from Guatemala, Cuba and other countries,” she said, describing the situation as an indictment of past administrations.  

The new allocation, she added, is intended to redirect resources toward correcting this deficit and ensuring that Vincentians are better equipped to meet the demands of the local economy.  

Overall, the Ministry of Education, Vocational Training, Innovation, Digital Transformation and Information has been allotted $220.3 million, representing 16.8% of the recurrent budget, along with $39.7 million on the capital side. This brings the government’s total commitment to education to $260.1 million for fiscal year 2026.  

King underscored that this investment reflects the administration’s recognition of education as “the soul of the nation,” with technical and vocational training positioned as a cornerstone for building a productive and innovative society.  

The government’s emphasis on technical education comes as part of a broader strategy to align education with national development goals. By expanding vocational training opportunities, officials aim to reduce reliance on imported labour and strengthen the local workforce.  

“This $4.4 million will go a long way in correcting the era of a deficit skills gap,” King said, noting that the initiative is directly tied to the government’s economic development agenda.  

In 2025, the Unity Labour Party (ULP) government allocated approximately EC$251 million to the education sector, representing one of the largest investments in education in SVG’s history. In comparison, the current 2026 Estimates under the new administration allocate EC$260.1 million overall, with EC$4.471 million specifically for technical and vocational education. This shows both a modest overall increase and a sharper focus on skills training to address the country’s workforce shortages.

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