Basseterre, St. Kitts, June 28, 2018 (SKNIS): Deans at the Clarence F. Bryant College (CFBC) implored residents of St. Kitts and Nevis to gain technical qualifications in order to reduce the fallout of external economic shocks and to keep pace with demands of the local labour market.
Andrew Abraham, Dean of the Faculty of Technical, Vocational, Educational and Management Studies at CFBC, explained that technical skills are valuable to any economy and cited the global recession of 2007-2008 to support his point.
“The economies that basically … thrived best during that period were the ones that were really focused in the area of technical training,” he said on Wednesday’s (June 27) edition of the radio and television programme “Working for You.” Germany, which has an economy largely based on production skills, was highlighted as having a successful sustainable model.
Mr. Abraham explained that the CFBC is playing its part in laying the foundation for residents to capitalize on the growing opportunities spurred by major developments such as the construction of St. Kitts Ramada Hotel, Sea View Hotel, the East Line Bus Terminal, and a second cruise pier at Port Zante.
“We know of the tourism boom that we have here in St. Kitts and Nevis. The Technical Division is rightly positioned and prepared to provide that kind of support to that aspect of our economy,” Dean Abraham stated, adding that the needs of the manufacturing industry are also met.
Residents can access studies in a number of technical fields including agricultural studies – which include Agritechnology, Agribusiness, and Agriscience; Architectural Design Technology; Electrical and Electronics; Information Technology; Culinary and Hospitality Studies; Motor Vehicle Technology; Refrigeration and Air Conditioning; Timber Vocation; and Office Administration and Management Studies.
Successful students receive an Associate’s Degree on completion of all of the programmes, excluding studies in Timber Vocations that result in a Diploma. Hospitality students receive a certificate after graduating.
Additional information about the courses and the CFBC are available online at cfbc.edu.kn