Skills to Access a Green Economy (SAGE) in Jamaica
Skills to Access a Green Economy (SAGE) in Jamaica
About this Project
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The Opportunity
- Climate change and increased catastrophic weather events have put pressure on the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) nations to become very proactive in agro-food industry development.
- Enhancing the quality of agro-food education in Jamaica is important for building resilience in the agricultural sector.
- A major multinational strategy is in place with the Caribbean Agricultural Research and Development Institute focused on building resilience in food security and agricultural sector development.
- The project aims to increase the participation of small and medium enterprises in gender equitable workforce planning, development, skills training, and certification.
- The project’s overall objective is to strengthen demand-driven and competency-based training programs offered by The Moneague College and Ebony Park HEART Academy and to attract and retain marginalized students for those programs. This involves creating and delivering associate degree and preparatory programs, and short courses related to climate smart agrofood processing.
Our Approach
- Developed an industry-led modularized curriculum for an Associate Degree, Preparatory Program and Short Courses in collaboration with our partners and local agriculture and agro-business industry.
- Provided study tours of Niagara College to participants, offering a hands-on approach to engage with a Canadian postsecondary system, showcasing its best practices in global engagement, environmental programs, and sustainability initiatives.
- Trained project participants to be innovative in their business practices, in their teaching strategies and their career paths.
- Included gender-sensitive skills training programs to encourage the participation of women, youth and vulnerable populations and involved a gender mainstreaming component.
- Collaborated with funders and partners in Jamaica to adapt its partnership to incorporate online delivery methods.
- Offered workshops in:
- Technical Vocational Education and Training (TVET) leadership
- Academic programming
- Gender and social inclusion
- Gender-responsive pedagogy and inclusive curriculum
- Competency-Based Education and Training
- Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI)
- Entrepreneurship
- Sustainability
- Career Guidance and Career Counselling
- Prior Learning Assessment & Recognition Policy and Tools
Partner Outcomes and Success
- An Associate of Science Degree in Climate Smart Agro-Processing, a Preparatory Program (Basic Food Processor) and short courses (Basic Concepts of Greening, Food Safety and Quality Management and Introduction to Food Processing Practices) were developed and launched.
- A Gender Analysis was conducted, Gender Policies were developed, and Gender Inclusion Committees were established at The Moneague College and Ebony Park HEART Academy.
- A Program Advisory Committee was established.
- Agro-processing equipment for applied learning was procured.
Participant Comments
“This partnership has been the most vital collaboration to us. The support in technical guidance, training, and equipment that we have received has been phenomenal. The team at Niagara College is very supportive, and committed to ensuring this partnership has a long-lasting impact. We value this partnership whole-heartedly and we thank NC for the collaboration and friendship. The relationship that has been forged increases our impact and supports us in making Jamaica a place of choice to raise families and do business.”
—Calvin Weisse, Director Principal, HEART NSTA Trust Ebony Park Academy
“During the visit, we observed that what NC is accomplishing in Niagara mirrors its global initiatives. NC’s commitment to sustainability demonstrates its forward-thinking approach and aspiration to stay at the forefront of development. NC and the Caribbean partners built a lifelong relationship in which they learn from each other. Listening to NC staff talk about their work with such a passion was one of this visit’s highlights.”
—Pat Bidart, Senior Technical Advisor/ Colleges and Institutes Canada (CICan) Representative, Skills to Access the Green Economy (SAGE)
Niagara College's Institute for Global Education and Training
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