Basseterre, St. Kitts, Tuesday, October 28, 2025: The Ministry of Social Development and Gender Affairs and the Ministry of Education, in collaboration with the Embassy of the Republic of China (Taiwan), hosted the closing ceremony of the Women Employment, Entrepreneurship, and Financial Inclusion (WEEFI) Project SIS-SKN Phase 1 Internship Programme on Friday, October 24, 2025
Through collaboration with the Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) Council, participants received NVQ certification acknowledging their successful completion of the internship programme in areas such as Project Management, Carpentry, Welding, AC and Refrigeration, as well as Electrical and Electronics.
Dr. Kertney Thompson, CEO, TVET Secretariat, emphasized the significance of the internship programme in advancing national development and preparing participants to meet the demands of a modern, sustainable economy.
“This programme is under the WEEFI Project, Phase 1 of the Sustainable Island State Agenda. For us to get to that level, we must have a highly skilled, highly competitive, and certified workforce. You have taken that first step, and you have taken a step further with the internship. At this point, we can say you have produced an amazing product. Congratulations, and I look forward to having you at the next training, which will be level 2.”
His Excellency, Ambassador Edward Tao, of the Republic of China (Taiwan), praised the graduates for their hard work and achievements, highlighting the internship as a meaningful step toward building a more skilled and capable workforce.
“I want to congratulate the 36 graduates who completed the different NVQ Internship courses. Over the past three months, you have transformed the classroom lessons into tangible results, and these projects reflect your technical skills and creativity, and most importantly, they show that you have acquired the essential knowledge and experience to become competent professionals.”
The ceremony marked the successful conclusion of Phase 1 of the initiative, which provided participants with valuable opportunities to gain hands-on experience, build entrepreneurial skills, and enhance financial literacy.
