Senior Reporter
andrea.perez-sobers@guardian.co.tt
The Ministry of Planning and Development has undertaken the advancement of a National Manpower Plan, which will guide setting priorities in terms of critical skills needed for targeted areas of development, within the education and employment systems.
This was revealed by Minister of Planning and Development Pennelope Beckles, as she spoke at the Association of Professional Engineers of Trinidad and Tobago (APETT) technical conference on Tuesday at the Hyatt Regency Hotel.
Beckles said the plan is being developed based on research conducted by the ministry which revealed that there is a sense of urgency within the business sector to produce a plan for T&T. What the research identified, she said, was the existence of skills gaps in areas within the local labour market.
“This has also been confirmed by various surveys such as the World Bank’s Enterprise Survey 2010 and the Ministry of Labour and Small and MicroEnterprise Development’s Vacancy Survey Report 2012. In the Enterprise Survey, 30 per cent of firms in T&T stated that an inadequately educated workforce was a major constraint to business and development,” the minister outlined.
Beckles noted that the integration of artificial intelligence, AI, and digitalisation in manufacturing and processing presents significant opportunities for Small Island Developing States (SIDs) to enhance productivity, efficiency, and competitiveness.
She said by leveraging AI algorithms, automation, and data analytics, manufacturing agencies can optimise production processes, reduce waste, and improve product quality.
“Digitalisation also enables businesses in SIDs to access global markets, engage in e-commerce, and participate in the digital economy, thereby diversifying our economies and creating new opportunities for growth and development. This therefore places small island economies in a position to be catalysts in the global economy irrespective of size,” the minister explained.
She indicated that a skilled and ethical engineering workforce is essential for driving innovation, solving complex challenges, and ensuring the responsible development and deployment of technology. Small Island Developing States must invest in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics or STEM education, vocational training, and lifelong learning opportunities to equip our citizens with the knowledge and skills needed to thrive in the 21st-century economy. Moreover, she said engineers must adhere to ethical standards and principles that prioritise the well-being of society, protect the environment, and uphold human rights.