The Government yesterday rolled out plans for a $67.3 million training facility in Caroni, along with plans for similar facilities in Chaguanas and other parts of central Trinidad.Tertiary Education Minister Fazal Karim unveiled the plans at yesterday's post-Cabinet media conference. He cited the People's Partnership manifesto's description of Chaguanas, Charlieville, Carapichaima and Cunupia as a growth pole location."This is an investment for all centres, especially Chaguanas...you're seeing the expansion of education and training facilties in T&T, especially Central Trinidad," he said."This investment in human capital development and responding to the workforce demands is well worth it."
Karim said census figures put Chaguanas' population at 83,500, with 33 per cent of this figure being youths aged 15-34. He said the household income per capita is $5,552, with a labour force of 78 per cent male and 49 per cent female.The chief plans will see the $67.3 construction of a technology training centre at the former Caroni (1975) Ltd's Woodford Lodge facility.Karim said the Woodford Lodge premises had been idle after Caroni's closure.Funding will be used to construct five buildings, refurbish existing structures on ten acres of land, outfit facilities, and to pay fees and taxes, he added. It is expected to be completed by the first week of January 2014.The centre will house the National Energy Skills Centre, Metal Industries Company and the Youth Partnership Employment Centre. Also included will be a 15-person dormitory and state-of-the-art facilities.
The facility will include an automotive technology centre in partnership with the automotive industry.Karim thanked Neal and Massy Ltd, Southern Sales, Ansa McAL and Toyota for their input in this initiative.He said Tracmac will also be involved in a Caterpillar tractor training facility which will feature two-year programmes. There will also be three-month training programmes in the use of heavy-duty agricultural equipment and courses in autotronics and information technology.A workforce assessment centre will also certify people who are uncertified, he added.Karim also highlighted other facilities that will serve central Trinidad, including the upcoming Costaatt campus near Pierre Road, Charlieville, the UTT Charlieville campus, Pt Lisas YTEPP Centre, NESC Pt Lisas campus and UTT Energy Campus.
A Pt Lisas Institute Apprenticeship programme, targeting industrial workers, will be launched in October, he said.Karim noted the Aviation Institute at Camden, which he said is being done in conjunction with Caribbean Airlines, National Helicopter Services Ltd, Civil Aviation, UTT, TT Air Guard and Metal Industries Ltd.He said Cabinet has approved the rationalisation of all tech/voc training through various ministers.He also said the first phase of the UWI South Campus (Debe) was out of foundation stage and on to groundwork.