Description:
This project aims to ensure that young apprentices in Orange Walk and Belize Districts gain fair access to well-paid, sustainable careers in technical trades, particularly in Air Conditioning (AC), Refrigeration, and Electrical Installation. By receiving industry-recognized training and certification, including environmentally responsible practices, youth will be better equipped to secure employment, start their own businesses, and contribute to a more climate-resilient and skilled national workforce. To achieve this long-term change, the project implements several concrete activities, including: 1) developing and delivering an inclusive apprenticeship curriculum, aligned with Regional Occupational Standards and integrating environmental responsibility, sustainable technologies, and safe handling of refrigerants; 2) establishing partnerships with at least five AC, Refrigeration, and Electrical businesses, formalized through memoranda of understanding (MOUs) that secure workplace training, supervision, and adherence to safety protocols; 3) providing hands-on technical training, combining theory, practical workshops, workplace simulations, and ethics and safety modules to prepare 20 apprentices for real industry environments; 4) strengthening certification capacity, including training instructors and industry personnel to develop assessment instruments and gather evidence required for Caribbean Vocational Qualification (CVQ) Level 2 certification; and 5) monitoring apprenticeship progress and preparing CVQ Level 2 portfolios, ensuring that all apprentices meet competency standards and have complete submissions for certification through the approved National Training Agency.
Expected Results:
The expected outcomes for this project include: (1) improved technical competence and industry-aligned skills among participating apprentices through structured training in Air Conditioning, Refrigeration, and Electrical Installation, enabling them to meet CVQ Level 2 standards; (2) increased integration of sustainable, energy-efficient, and environmentally responsible practices among trainees as a result of training modules focused on green technologies, safe refrigerant handling, and compliance with environmental regulations; (3) enhanced readiness for employment and entrepreneurship among apprentices through workplace simulations, supervised industry placements, and strengthened professional ethics and safety practices; and (4) increased sectoral capacity and industry linkages through formalized partnerships with certified AC, Refrigeration, and Electrical businesses, resulting in expanded access to supervised workplace training and improved alignment between training institutions and labour market needs.