Basseterre, St. Kitts, June 29, 2018 (SKNIS): Entrepreneurial opportunities for technical and vocational students were highlighted during “Working for You” on June 27 by Andrew Abraham, Dean of the Faculty of Technical, Vocational, Educational and Management Studies (TVEMS), who noted that the Clarence Fitzroy Bryant College (CFBC) offers Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) programmes to assist persons in setting up their own business and starting their careers.
“We offer three for the price of one. We actually provide you training so at least you can matriculate into colleges and universities and get in excess of 60 credits,” Mr. Abraham explained. “We also train you for the world of work. If you want to go out there and practice your craft and earn a lot of money, [this training] would prepare you as an entrepreneur to get there.”
The dean said that an entrepreneurial course is available in all technical and vocational courses so that students can understand the business world, in particular, how to set up a business.
Mr. Abraham said that the courses encourage students to network and to develop business ideas.
“For example, let’s take an example –automotive. Look at the number of cars we see here in St. Kitts and Nevis. On average, based on what I’ve learnt recently, we get approximately 180 cars per month. If you look at the auto-mechanic shops that are out there, the opportunity and market potential are there,” he said. “So we are actually encouraging our students, after they would have been trained to go out there and start their own business.”
The dean said that with correct guidance and counselling students are becoming more aware of what is required in the business world.
“The courses that we have deliberately placed in these programmes are geared towards preparing them for the opportunities and to be able to perform in the sense that I have a project and I can draft a proposal or research that I can do,” he explained. “I am computer literate or I’m competent and can use the online resources. Again, it is a money saving mechanism because what you can do for yourself, that money stays in your business, that is, you can go in and create a proposal on your own.”
“…You don’t have to pay a consultant to do that even if you are starting up your business or have your business plan. They may not be at that level yet, but they would have gotten the fundamental foundation that they can build on. At least when they start their business they can continue to grow,” he said.
Mr. Abraham said that the courses will evolve over time to cater to the changes in society and technology.