Pringle says ‘catch-up’ scholarships to ABICE are too few and too late, and asks how many construction work permits have been signed

The administrator and manager of the Antigua and Barbuda Institute of
Continuing Education (ABICE) were invited to Cabinet to address a
scholarship programme that the Executive hopes to operationalize in the
September 2024 school year, this week’s Notes say.

Through the Labour Department’s Work Experience Programme, the Cabinet
claims that 50 scholarships are to be distributed among “deserving youth”
who are eager to learn construction skills and earn certification in their area
of expertise.

Most industries now require certification for new employees, the Notes say,
causing ABICE to be viewed as an employment-training programme.
However, United Progressive Party Political Leader Jamale Pringle says he is
not impressed with the Administration’s attempt “to play catch-up.”

“If this Administration had been serious about youth employment and knew
anything about planning, this would have been in place nearly 10 years ago,”
Pringle states.

“They came into office on a construction campaign – ‘500 Homes in 500
Days,” the UPP leader recollects. “Yet, no plan for training and increasing the
workforce was put in place.

“Then, after they completed two terms, we heard the National Housing
minister complaining that the locals don’t have the required ‘finishing’ skills,
so the Government is going to look outside for workers,” he says.

“So, here we are, 10 years later, and they’re now looking to offer just 50
scholarships. But how many work permits did they approve in that time?”
asks Pringle, a former vocational skills teacher.

Meanwhile City West Caretaker Alister Thomas describes the planned
scholarship initiative as “lame and late,” and says it is only in response to
criticism of Government’s plans to import skilled labour.

“But you notice it didn’t take them 10 years to decriminalize marijuana and
make it accessible to these same ‘deserving youth,’ right?” Thomas asks.
According to the Notes, the usual fee at ABICE is $500 a year and the
programme takes 18 months. Reportedly, there are 827 registrants at the
moment, but the Notes do not specify how many are in the construction
trades.