Labour market needs must be known

AS the island seeks to increase its food security and ensure the quality of its produce, it is necessary to have an up-to-date database on the labour market needs and skills deficits within the agricultural sector.

Speaking at the Stakeholder Consultation for the Skills Needs Assessment for Agriculture and Fisheries, Labour Minister Dr. Esther Byer-Suckoo noted that such was needed due to the limited information on the current supply of farmers and other relevant agents in the agricultural and fisheries sector.

“How many farmers have actually received formal training in agricultural science? What are the skill sets required of livestock farmers versus crop producers? How many fishermen are in Barbados? Where are they? What is their educational background? Do they need specific training and education? There is very limited information on labour market needs and on skills deficits. Do the farmers and fishermen have all the skills necessary to efficiently run their operations? As employers, is production compromised by the unavailability of certain competencies in the pool of workers available. Given advances in aquaponics and other non-traditional farming methods, green energy or even animal genetics, are there any skills needed by agricultural producers to embrace these advances in technology?” she questioned.

Speaking to those gathered at the Savannah Hotel yesterday, she stated that the skills needs assessment will promote demand-driven education and training system, under the Barbados Human Development Strategy.

She reiterated that demand-driven education shifts the focus to meeting the needs of enterprises and industries, while noting that costs were too high when there was a mismatch between skills demand and supply. In addition, Byer-Suckoo said that demand-driven education would reduce the numbers of those students coming out of school with qualifications that were in low demand in this country. (JMB)