TVET opens doors in construction field

Elizabeth Taylor inspecting a construction site

CI Precast Manager Ronnie Dunn with Jaron Solomon
and Greg Barrett showing off some of the bricks they
poured this summer

Wednesday, August 25, 2004

Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) in construction can help students with career choices, according to TVET consultant Dr Mary Markowsky.

On a recent visit to the Cayman Islands she said: “Even if they end up not choosing a career in construction, a technical and vocational programme in schools will give students lifelong skills such as basic plumbing, electrical wiring and dry walling.”

Dr Markowsky, part of a specialist delegation that made a presentation on possible technical and vocational programmes for Cayman’s schools and colleges, emphasized the value of hands-on experience in preparing students for the job market.

The delegation visited on an invitation from the Department of Employment Relations (DER), whose TVET programme has already benefited several students over the last two years.

Community College of the Cayman Islands graduate Elizabeth Taylor, who studied construction management, is one such student. While waiting for her overseas university application to be processed, she recently took up employment with CI Precast to get hands-on experience in the building of pre-cast homes.

“Working in the field can be much different to what you learn in the books,” she said. “The experience I am gaining now is priceless to me. Erecting pre-cast homes in the field can be quite different from the traditional home building we are taught in class.”

The hours Miss Taylor spends in the field are also giving her insight into other construction methods.

“When I get to university next year, it will be far less intimidating and I will be able to apply my experience to the academic work that awaits me,” she explained.

CI Precast Manager Ronnie Dunn supports the Department’s TVET programme:

“Having Elizabeth working for us is a significant benefit to the company. She is able to do the casting for an entire project, thereby controlling the flow of material to the job sites. This minimizes waste and keeps the builders on schedule.”

CI Precast also employed high school students Jaron Solomon and Greg Barrett as part-time workers this summer in order for them to gain experience in the field of pre-cast products. Although Jaron and Greg haven’t yet made up their minds as to their final career choices, both agree that working in the construction industry has been a learning experience in many aspects.

“I’ve not only learned practical things like driving the forklift, but also other aspects of the working world such as responsibility and timeliness,” said Greg.

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