Project profile — Skills to Access the Green Economy

This project aims to build a more qualified, inclusive, and climate-resilient workforce in six Caribbean countries (Belize, Dominica, Grenada, Guyana, Jamaica, and Saint Lucia) by increasing access to employment-driven technical and vocational education and training (TVET) for youth, women, and vulnerable populations. Project activities include: (1) developing and delivering new climate-relevant training programs such as associate degrees, short courses, and apprenticeships; (2) strengthening the capacity of partner institutions to deliver gender-sensitive, inclusive, and digital instruction; (3) supporting applied research and sustainability planning across institutions; and (4) facilitating experiential learning opportunities and regional collaboration. The project targets students, institutional staff, Indigenous learners, and small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) as key beneficiaries. It also contributes to Canada’s commitments to gender equality and climate action in the Caribbean.

The expected outcomes of this project include: (1) increased number of women, youth and vulnerable populations trained in demand-driven technical and vocational education and training (TVET) fields; (2) increased capacity of training institutions to develop and deliver gender-sensitive skills training programs that meet economic and environmental needs; and (3) increased participation of small and medium-sized enterprises in gender-equitable workforce planning, development, training and certification.

Results achieved at the end of the project (March 2026) include: (1) 743 students completed climate-relevant technical and vocational education and training in Belize, Dominica, Grenada, Guyana, Jamaica and Saint Lucia, strengthening employability and self-employment opportunities in climate-resilient sectors such as renewable energy, sustainable agriculture, construction, environmental management and eco-tourism; (2) 201 learners completed apprenticeships and work-based training pilots, supporting smoother transitions from training to certified employment in priority economic sectors; (3) 561 instructors and institutional staff improved their capacity to deliver gender-sensitive, inclusive and labour-market-aligned training, while 134 staff strengthened digital and hybrid teaching skills, expanding access to flexible skills training for learners facing geographic, financial or caregiving barriers; (4) implemented 14 applied research projects with industry and community partners, enabling institutions to address practical challenges in food security, renewable energy and environmental sustainability while strengthening employer collaboration; (5) engaged 97 small and medium-sized enterprises in workforce planning, training and certification, improving alignment between TVET programs and labour market needs; and (6) targeted financial and learning supports, including bursaries and scholarships for 180 students, improved access and completion for women, Indigenous learners and other vulnerable groups.