2013年-世界发展银行全球_Grenada_Workforce_Development___SABER_Country_Report_2013_50页_1mb

Grenada Workforce Development Summary

Core Content

Grenada, a small island state in the Caribbean, has implemented significant workforce development (WfD) initiatives to address socioeconomic challenges, including high poverty and unemployment rates, especially among youth and women. These efforts are part of a broader strategy to transition the economy from an agrarian base to a services-oriented model, with a focus on sectors such as tourism, ICT, construction, and education. The SABER-WfD assessment, conducted by the World Bank, evaluates the maturity of Grenada's WfD system across three functional dimensions: Strategic Framework, System Oversight, and Service Delivery.

Main Findings

1. Strategic Framework

• Status: Established
• Score: 2.6
• Key Points:
  • The government and non-government leaders are strongly committed to enhancing skills in Grenada.
  • Policies have been developed to align WfD with national economic and social priorities, including the establishment of the Grenada Council for Technical and Vocational Education and Training (GCTVET).
  • Despite progress, challenges remain in monitoring and evaluating the implementation of strategic measures, and coordination among stakeholders is still an issue.

2. System Oversight

• Status: Established
• Score: 2.6
• Key Points:
  • A National Qualifications Framework (NQF) has been endorsed and is currently in place.
  • Competency standards have been developed for major occupations.
  • Accreditation requirements are in place and enforced for most training providers.
  • The WfD system is heavily reliant on donor funding, which poses a risk to long-term sustainability.

3. Service Delivery

• Status: Emerging
• Score: 2.1
• Key Points:
  • A diverse mix of training providers exists, with most non-state providers registered and licensed under the Grenada National Training Agency (NTA).
  • Regular reporting and audits are conducted, but the management and use of this information to improve performance are limited.
  • Autonomy and accountability of training providers, especially at the secondary level, are constrained.
  • There is a need to improve the implementation of strategic measures and enhance the quality and relevance of training programs.

Policy Implications

• Strategic Alignment: There is a need to improve the availability of information on skills demand to better align WfD policies with national priorities.
• Enhanced Monitoring: Results-based monitoring is suggested as a key instrument to improve the effectiveness of WfD initiatives.
• Diversification of Learning Pathways: Greater efforts are needed to diversify learning pathways and encourage new training institutions to deliver high-quality, accredited programs.
• Strengthening Institutional Capacity: The government and private sector must invest more in WfD to reduce reliance on donor funding and ensure long-term sustainability.
• Improved Coordination: Coordination among stakeholders is essential to avoid duplication of efforts and ensure policy coherence.

Country Context

• Geography: Grenada is a tri-island state consisting of Grenada, Carriacou, and Petit Martinique, located in the southern end of the Windward Islands.
• Population: Approximately 110,000, with a significant portion (24.7%) aged 0-14 and 17.1% aged 15-24.
• Economic Challenges:
  • High susceptibility to exogenous shocks and economic contractions during the 2008-2012 period.
  • Growing debt stock and limited investment in critical sectors like tourism.
  • High unemployment and poverty rates, particularly affecting women and youth.
• Government Strategy: The government has endorsed a New Economy model with five pillars: Tourism and Hospitality, Energy Development, Agribusiness, Information and Communications Technology, and Education, Health and Wellness, and Services.
• Education and Training:
  • Education is a key pillar and has seen increased investment.
  • The NTA was established in 2009 to coordinate and oversee technical and vocational education and training (TVET) programs.
  • Over 53 occupational standards have been approved, and others are pending.

Key Initiatives

• GCTVET: A multi-stakeholder body that facilitates coordination and collaboration in WfD.
• NTA: A coordination and oversight body for TVET programs, responsible for designing, monitoring, and promoting training.
• Education Expenditure: Projected to reach 6.8% of real GDP by 2013, with additional funds allocated to specific projects like the Youth Entrepreneurs Development Fund and School Feeding Program.

Conclusion

Grenada's WfD system is at an early stage of development, with significant strides in Strategic Framework and System Oversight, but challenges remain in Service Delivery. The government's commitment to WfD is evident, and there is a clear recognition of the need for a skilled workforce to drive economic growth and development. However, the system requires stronger implementation, better monitoring, and increased investment to achieve its full potential.