OUTCOME OF THE YOUTH SUMMIT WITH SPECIAL REFERENCE TO LABOUR

The COHSOD received a comprehensive report on the Special CARICOM Heads of Government Summit on Youth Development which was held in Paramaribo, Suriname on January 29-30 to discuss the watershed report of the CARICOM Commission on Youth Development titled: Eye on the Future, Investing in Youth Now for Tomorrow’s Community.

The Commission was mandated by the 26th Conference of Heads of Government to conduct a full scale analysis of the challenges and opportunities for youth in the CARICOM Single Market and Economy (CSME); and making recommendations to improve their well-being and empowerment.” Findings and subsequent recommendations were presented on youth un-employment and under-employment, the relevance of the existing education in preparing youth for the world of work, migration and Caribbean cultural identity, governance and the benefits of investing in youth.

PREPARING YOUTH FOR THE WORLD OF WORK: THE IMPORTANCE OF TECHNICAL AND VOCATIONAL EDUCATION AND TRAINING AND ENTREPRENEURIAL EDUCATION

The importance of developing human capital to strengthen the regional integration movement within a rapidly changing global world cannot be over-emphasised, consequently the COHSOD examined thoroughly, the need to prepare young people for the world of work and the integral role of Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) and Entrepreneurial Education in that preparation.

The discussion on Technical and Vocational Education and Training took into account the detailed report on the outcomes of the first CARICOM Summit on Youth Development at which the CARICOM Commission on Youth Development presented its Report which brought into sharp focus the relevance and appropriateness of the Caribbean education system in preparing young people for the job market and the role of TVET in this process.

The COHSOD approved recommendations from the RCMTVET regarding the endorsement of harmonized occupational standards and acknowledged the role of UWI in the preparation for leadership in TVET.

With regard to apprenticeship models in CARICOM, the COHSOD noted the range of apprenticeship models in use in the Caribbean region - several of which were outdated - and discussed the proposal for a study on apprenticeship systems that would provide an opportunity for the Region to collaborate in modernizing and harmonizing apprenticeship systems. The prospects of partnering with the Association of Canadian Community Colleges (ACCC) in submitting a proposal for this study to be commissioned was also discussed.

DECENT WORK SOCIAL AND HUMAN DEVELOPMENT AND POLICY COHERENCE

Noting that policy coherence needed to take place at both the national and international levels, the COHSOD recommended a joint technical meeting between the CARICOM Secretariat and ILO to identify programme areas that would require consolidation within the CARICOM Agenda. This, the COHSOD agreed could be used as a basis for identifying those areas in which ILO had the highest competencies in giving support to Member States.

The COHSOD also recommended a joint meeting with the Council for Trade and Economic Development (COTED) dealing specifically with labour and labour issues.

In addition, the COHSOD acknowledged the need to identify a consolidated long term agenda and strategy to ensure that policy coherence was firmly entrenched into what is called the strategic vision of the Caribbean Community.

CLOSING

The COHSOD expressed its thanks to the Government and People of Guyana for being gracious hosts; to the ILO for its professional inputs and support in the conduct of the Meeting and the Secretary-General and Staff of the CARICOM Secretariat for the arrangements and effort in ensuring the success of the Meeting.

Georgetown, Guyana
April 16, 2010