A new apprenticeship programme is open for people between 17 and 25 who are interested in wood and wood related products manufacturing.

The programme, launched on Tuesday by Trade and Industry Minister Paula Gopee-Scoon, was developed in collaboration with the MIC-IT, the Trinidad and Tobago Manufacturers Association (TTMA) and the National Training Agency (NTA).

The two-year Apprenticeship Programme aims to fill existing vacancies and skills gaps within the wood and wood related products manufacturing sub-sector.

The sub-sector covers Manufacturing/warehouse manufacturing, Upholstery making, Wood Science, Hand tools and fabrication equipment, Drafting in construction or building materials related industry, Carpentry, Project Management, Machine Operation and automated finishing methods including UV curing.

The Minister noted that the Manufacturing Sub-sector has untapped potential.

The sub-sector contributes 0.02 per cent to GDP, employs approximately 4,000 people and exports valuing an estimated TT$24 million in 2020.  

The Apprenticeship Programme for the Wood and Wood Related Products Manufacturing Sub-sector will be administered in three phases.

The Programme covers the occupational areas of; Carpentry; Woodworking and Joinery Technology and will be delivered using a 1:3 ratio of theory to practical; employing a process-based mode, where learning content is transferred practically through project work.

Apprentices will be trained in areas of Wood Technology, Design and Construction, Furniture Construction, Cabinet Making and gain practical experience on various woodworking equipment. Apprentices will also be required to complete an on-the-job training component at an industry partner site.

Apprentices will receive a monthly stipend of TT$2,000 which will be covered by the Government. Upon successful completion of the Programme, apprentices will be presented with an Apprenticeship Programme for the Wood and Wood Products Manufacturing Sub-sector Diploma.

The Programme will incorporate the use of new technology such as AutoCAD, Computer Numerical Control (CNC) Machining and personal tablet devices in the delivery of courses to reskill and retool Apprentices in order to meet the new and emerging skill requirements and drive technological advancement of the Wood and Wood Related Products Sub-sector.

Acknowledging the critical role of the private sector in the success of this initiative, Minister Gopee-Scoon noted that the Ministry with the support of the TTMA and MIC-IT will engage Wood and Wood Products Manufacturing firms to become industrial partners and participate in the industrial attachment component of the Programme.

Tricia Coosal, President, Trinidad and Tobago Manufacturers’ Association (TTMA), stressed the importance of collaboration between the private and public sector.

She stated: “…continuing to invest in the labour force is another way of building capacity that will contribute to export promotion, the long term effect of growing the Wood and Wood Related Manufacturing sub-sector will be making it a larger contributor to Trinidad and Tobago’s foreign exchange reserves”. She reaffirmed TTMA’s commitment to encourage its members to take advantage of the Programme.

Chairman of the MIC-IT, Professor Clément Imbert said the new Programme compliments and supplements the currently running Apprenticeship Programme.

He recalled the MIC-IT’s long history of training persons in the Manufacturing Sector, and attributed these origins to affirm MIC-IT’s ability to successfully implement this Programme.

Professor Imbert also spoke to the high level of entrepreneurial training and inclusion of technology into the Apprenticeship Programme resulting in both the support to fill the labour gaps as well as the expansion of the Sub-sector.

The Programme will enroll 50 apprentices and will be delivered at the St Bede Technology at St Augustine and the Pleasantville Technology Centres in South Trinidad.

To register for the Programme applicants are required to be a national or resident of Trinidad and Tobago and have preferably:

Three CSEC or GCE passes (1,2,3 or A,B,C respectively) in Mathematics, English, and any of the Sciences or have successfully completed either one of the following:

Helping You Prepare for Employment (HYPE) Programme – Building Construction Level 1 (Dual Skilling) CVQ L1 Skill Areas;

Multi-sector Skills Training (MuST) – Building Construction CVQ Level 2 Skill Areas namely; Welding, Plumbing, Masonry, Carpentry and Electrical Installation;

An equivalent level certification at other training institutions such as: the National Energy Skills Center (NESC) or the Youth Training and Employment Partnership Programme (YTEPP) courses in building construction, carpentry, or other related woodworking courses.

Foster to Youths: Take full advantage of training offers

66 youths from East Port of Spain begin construction skills training

Looking to export? Companies invited to join exporTT programmes

Two bodies found in Chaguaramas

OOOPS! Poland nabs octogenarian with 5 kilos of heroin in suitcase

Ariapita Avenue revitalisation works halted

Tied up, robbed: Priest left shaken after presbytery ransacked

Parish priest of San Rafael RC, Fr Roger Paponette was tied up and robbed of a vehicle and personal valuables at the presbytery on Thursday morning. According to a statement from the Roman Catholic

Like a baby: Tobago births Carnival to showcase island's culture

Tears flowed from some members of the team that planned the Tobago Carnival media launch at Shaw Park Cultural Complex. The tears, they said, were from relief and from the ability to exha

Over 300 exhibitors, petting zoo and more at Agri Expo

The Agri Investment Forum and Expo from August 19-21 is free to enter

Retired ASP dies at Macqueripe, Prison Service extends condolences

A retired Assistant Superintendent of Prisons died on Wednesday while on a fishing expedition in Chaguaramas. According to reports, around 3pm 55-year-old Noel Phillip of Tumpuna Road, Tunapuna and

Licensing mobile bus heads to Diego Martin Central

  The Ministry of Works and Transport’s Licensing Mobile Unit will soon be making its way to serve the residents of Diego Martin Central and environs. Next Wednesday (August 24) and Septemb

Wrong place, wrong time? Vincentian victim not known to police

Even as police are searching for a motive for the murder of aspiring St Vincent Dancehall Artiste, Owonnie Hutchinson, relatives are trying to come to terms with the killing. Relatives told Loop Ne

Simply Delicious with AMCO - Chicken Stir Fry

An Asian dish with a twist! Today, we feature a Simply Delicious meal that’s easy to make and ready in less than 30 minutes. Check out Chef Nalima’s video for the recipe.    INGREDI

Having trouble saving? Tips for guilt-free budgeting

We all want to save money. Typically, the go-to solution is to create a budget and cut down on your expenses. This, according to many financial experts, is the key to financial freedom.  But t

Breastfeeding: Caring for sore nipples

Many new moms may experience nipple soreness or discomfort when first starting out. This can be caused by the baby’s position, latch, or sucking. According to medical experts, while you’re breastf

5 tips on how to make friends as an introvert

Are you someone who prefers solitude and feels shy around social settings? You may be an introvert. As opposed to extroverts, introverts may characterise themselves as quiet and introspective, they