ROA/CN board sets agenda 2014

The Daily Herald writes that Board members from Bonaire, St. Eustatius and Saba of Dutch Caribbean Education and Labour Market Council ROA/CN met in Saba recently to evaluate the progress of the institution in 2013 and set the agenda for this year. Legally established as a foundation financed by Ministry of Education, Culture and Science, ROA/CN provides coordination between vocational education and employers in the Caribbean Netherlands. ROA/CN works closely with local companies, schools and government concerning the needs of the labour market. It provides certification for on-the-job training in businesses and trains job trainers.
The meeting in Saba brought together Board Chairman Herbert Domacassé, Bonaire representatives Orphaline Saleh and Sigfried Cecilia, Saba representatives Bettina Schroeter and Gied Mommers, and Statia board members Monique Brown- James and Roy Hooker. ROA/CN Director Caribbean Netherlands Elyane Paul said it was a “fruitful meeting, which included teambuilding exercises and informal talks.” Paul said the highlight of 2013 had been the drive to recognise companies that participated in the labourforce training programme. Currently there are 131 recognised companies and 349 job trainers on the three islands. Previously, these companies were acknowledged by centres of knowledge (kenniscentra) in the Netherlands. Another highlight was the streamlining of criteria for the vocational practical training (beroepspraktijkvorming). The programme involves coaching job trainers to address the needs of apprentices during their internships at recognised companies. Coordinating feedback on labour market trends had also been addressed in 2013 through 12 industry-specific meetings with employers on each island.