This document discusses increasing access to post-secondary education in the Caribbean region by addressing barriers to access, equity, and participation. It identifies challenges such as institutional, geographic, academic, financial, and informational gaps. Initiatives proposed to tackle these issues include strengthening the TVET system framework, developing articulation agreements, providing flexible learning options, fostering community partnerships, and expanding access for persons with special needs through accommodations like PLAR. The overall goal is harmonizing mechanisms across the region to develop workforce skills and reduce unemployment.

2. Addressing Issues of Access, Equity & Participation
Increasing Access to Post-secondary, Tertiary & Higher Education
Presenter: Wayne Wesley, Ph.D.
Executive Director, HEART Trust/NTA, Chairman, Caribbean Association of National Training Authorities
July 25, 2016

3. The Context
Regional
Economic
Growth
Research
&
Development
Education
and
Training
Technological
Innovation
Investment
and
Funding
3

4. Barriers to Access, Equity & Participation
Institutional Geographic
Academic
(student
ability)
Financial
Informational
gaps
Lack of
Motivation and
engagement

5. Regional Challenges
Harmonised Mechanism for TVET
Systems
Human Capacity Development
(Including persons with disability)
Infrastructural (Equipment)
Development
Unemployment (Youth)
5

6. ILO Global Initiative – Decent Jobs for All
• Governments, social partners and private sector, youth
representatives, civil society, foundations and academia.Alliance
• Knowledge sharing platform to capture analyse and
disseminate best practices and innovative approaches.Knowledge
• Evidenced-based action that responds to national
development priorities.Action
• High level commitment of local, national and international
stakeholders to increase resources through present and
future funding facilities.
Resources

7. Regional
COHSOD
(Oversight)
RCMTVET
(Coordinates)
CANTA
(Implements)
National
Government
National
TVET
Authorities
Industry and
Sector
Associations
Local
Education and
Training
Institutions
Employers/
Organised Labour
7
CARICOM TVET Mechanism

8. LocalNationalRegional
TVET Strategy
CQF
CVQ
Accreditation
Mechanism
TVET Policy
NQF
Workforce
Development
Programme
Development
Regulatory
Framework
Standards
Development
Quality
Assurance
8
CARICOM TVET System Framework

9. REGIONAL INITIATIVES (TVET)
1. Training Assessors
and Verifiers
2. Developing
National TVET
Work Prog.
3. Auditing of TVET
Facilities and Prog.
4. Advocacy and
Communication
Strategy
CTCP
1. TVET Strategy
2. Strengthening
CANTA/NTAs
3. Twinning of Caribbean
and Canadian Colleges
4. Assuring Quality
(Standards and Systems)
5. Social Marketing and Re-
branding of TVET
6. Industry Linkage Forum
C-EFE
9

10. REGIONAL INITIATIVES (Entrepreneurship)
Resolve to:
1. generate entrepreneurial development
among our youth from the earliest stages
through education and mentorship, and
2. the fostering of private and public sector
partnerships that create an environment
for business development and growth
Creativity for Employment and
Business Opportunity (CEBO)
10

11. Initiatives in Jamaica
Career Advancement Programme
National Unattached/Underserved
Youth Programme (Including Persons
with Disabilities)
Registered Apprenticeship
Programme
National Youth Service Programme
11

12. Critical Interventions
Antigua and Barbuda Barbados
Belize Dominica
Grenada Guyana
Jamaica St Kitts and Nevis
St Lucia St Vincent
Suriname Trinidad and Tobago
• Increased Partnerships and Collaborations
• Direct government support for system expansion
• Performance-based funding
• Student financial support mechanisms including the
provision of loans, stipends and grants
• Targeted funding for underserved persons including
those with special needs

13. Articulation Agreements
Creation of pathways or linkages to
facilitate the movement of students
between programmes and institutions.

14. Flexible Learning
Online Work-based
learning
Part-time
learning
Accelerated or
decelerated
programmes
Distance or
blended
learning

15. Flexibility & Responsiveness
Mobile Training
Labs & Career
Units
Distance Learning
(blended)
Redesigned
Assessment
Process (including
online)

16. Community Partnerships
Partnership with community
based institutions private and
public, including churches.
Working with underserved
populations, outreach initiatives,
and expanding geographic
access.

17. DISTRIBUTION OF HEART INSTITUTIONS

19. Raising the levels of Literacy and Numeracy
• Mastery of literacy and numeracy
• Digital Literacy
• Equips beneficiaries for higher educational opportunities and employment

20. Expanding Access to Persons With Special Needs
Physical
Infrastructure
Teaching Aids
Flexible
assessment
methods

21. Prior Learning Assessment and Recognition (PLAR)
PLAR
Increases access to
education, training
certification and
retention in education
& training
institutions
PLAR
Identify, assess and
recognize
individuals for their
prior learning which
may be formal,
informal or
experiential
PLAR
Facilitates self-
knowledge, credit or
advanced standing at
a training and
academic institution
and employment,
licensure
PLAR
Reduces the time and
expense to acquire a
credential