Time to recognise the importance of training

By Wilbert Tomlinson, Contributor

In a recent article in one of our local newspapers, titled 'Education transformation for dummies', it was stated that education transformation in Jamaica is the "best-kept secret".

Well, there is a secret within the secret, namely that significant transformation was, and still is, taking place, namely the TVET Rationalisation Project in Secondary Schools of St Elizabeth, Westmoreland and parts of the Corporate Area, the Career Advancement Programme. There is even a strategic plan for streamlining TVET in Jamaican high schools.

These initiatives, supported in one way or the other by both political administrations, in spite of the lack of funds, recognise that:

Education based on the grammar-school system has dominated our 'education system' for decades, creating more thinkers and talkers than doers. So we need to get students to acquire not only knowledge but skills (applied knowledge) as well.

Whereas we need education, training and development of our people for our country to advance, we cannot emphasise any one to the detriment of the others.

Similarly, we cannot emphasise tertiary over secondary, secondary over primary, or primary over early childhood, or any other combination. We have to strive for an optimal mix so that the system can remain stable and perform predictably to meet expectations.

It is a truism that education makes people trainable. Training makes people employable. And when people are educated, trained and employed, they can take responsibility for their own development. This is the true empowerment that we seek.

paradigm shift

After 50 years of Independence, we need a new paradigm to chart the way over the next 50 years (building on the best of the past and embracing the promise of the future).

For indeed, it is said that "if education, training and development are the keys to success, then training is the master key!" This is true for the individual, the family, the community and the country. This is also true at the level of firm or organisation.

We can also look at what Jacques Delors had to say in a report to UNESCO on The Four Pillars of Education:

1. Learning how to learn (to know).

2. Learning how to do (acquire a skill).

3. Learning how to live and work productively with others (teamwork).

4. Learning how to be (becoming the best you can be).

The Bank of Jamaica had this to say recently: "Continued improvement in (labour) productivity would have to be enhanced by increased training and staff development."

In light of the foregoing, I challenge the Human Resource Management Association of Jamaica, Jamaica Employers' Federation, and the Private Sector Organisation of Jamaica to separately, or collectively, carry out a survey to determine what percentage of people costs is spent on training (not education, training!)

After 50 years of statehood, would it be reasonable to rename the Ministry of Education the Ministry of Education and Training? Of course, it would be very simplistic to think that a change of name is all that is needed, but it would certainly help to elevate training to a new level in our collective consciousness.

Transformation does not just mean incremental or evolutionary change. It means radical or revolutionary change, and revolutionary change cannot remain a secret, at least, not for long!

Wilbert Tomlinson is managing director of Facilitation and Consultancy Training Services Limited. Email feedback to columns@gleanerjm.com and factshrd@flowja.com.