Thirty-four Tobagonians are now certified in fields ranging from welding to massage therapy after completing the Prior Learning Assessment and Recognition (PLAR) programme.

The graduates were recognised for obtaining nationally certified qualifications in areas including welding, data operations, electrical installation, motor vehicle engine systems and massage therapy.

The PLAR programme, which is run by the National Training Agency under the Ministry of Tertiary Education and Skills Training in collaboration with the Ministry of Sport and Youth Affairs, enables skilled individuals without formal certification to earn the Trinidad and Tobago National Vocational Qualification or the Caribbean Vocational Qualification, unlocking new career opportunities.

Sport and Youth Affairs Minister Phillip Watts and Minister of Tertiary Education and Skills Training Prakash Persad were on hand for Tuesday’s graduation ceremony.

Minister Watts said the programme values lived experience and wants to see it expanded to cover Tobago’s traditional trades, such as boat building and fishing net construction.

Minister Persad also addressed graduates, calling skills recognition a key driver of national progress.