Road Town, Tortola - The Law Reform Commission (LRC) will be holding a series of public consultations on the Technological and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) Legislation this month.

Representatives from the Law Reform Commission will meet with the public to explain the components of TVET and to give them an opportunity to voice their concerns and share their views. The meetings begin on Monday, March 29 at the Cane Garden Bay Baptist Church and will continue on Wednesday, March 31 at the East End/Long Look Community Centre at 7 p. m., Wednesday, April 7 at the Ashford Waters Community Centre on Virgin Gorda at 7:30 p.m. and conclude on Monday, April 12 at the Althea Scatliffe Primary School at 7 p.m. Representatives will also be guests on ZBVI Radio 780 AM programme, Speak Out BVI on Tuesday, March 23 and UMOJA on Thursday, March 25 beginning at 8 p.m. nightly.

During a GIS Radio Report, Chairman of the Law Reform Commission, Mr. Ray Harris said, “TVET is an essential aspect of any education system, in the primary law, namely, the Education Act, which provides the legal framework for a modern education system in the Virgin Islands, a complete part of that Act is dedicated to TVET.”

Mr. Harris added, “The overall purpose of TVET in the Virgin Islands at both the secondary and tertiary level is to improve the employment opportunities for a growing number of youth and adults based on demand oriented education and productive training. With the rapid economic development experienced in the Virgin Islands over the past decades, the dire need for an adequate labour force with local expertise in building construction, electronics, air conditioning and refrigeration, engine repair and boat building and repair as well as other areas is undeniable.”

The goals for TVET in all levels of education in the Territory are to provide equal opportunities and access to education and training regardless of different characteristics; contribute to a wide exploration of and orientation to, scientific and technological knowledge, skills and attitudes. It also facilitates the transition from school to work through dissemination of information, career guidance and counselling; provides opportunities to develop a skilled and productive workforce; provides manpower needs for available opportunities or for those envisaged and widens future career opportunities.

The goals of TVET also include promoting a system to develop managerial and professional competencies with the aim of enhancing quality of life and the status of legislation as well as consolidating, improving and developing cost effective national systems for sustained institutional development.

The Law Reform Commission is responsible for studying and keeping under review the laws of the Territory with a view to the systematic development, improvement, modernisation and where possible, simplification of specific laws or particular branches of the law. Since the commission’s inception, it has completed and submitted a strategic plan, thirteen law reports, and seven annual reports to the Attorney General and by extension Cabinet.