The OECS Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) programme received a significant financial contribution from the French Government on Monday in Castries.

The French Embassy through His Excellency the Ambassador Henri Vidal presented a cheque of $100,000.00 Euros to the Acting Director General of the OECS Secretariat George Goodwin Jr.

The grant is to facilitate training opportunities for OECS TVET teachers and members of the OECS Work Force, in specific categories that have the scope for the involvement of French Institutions in Guadeloupe and Martinique

This TVET programme is the third in the series of OECS projects that France has facilitated.

Health Sector Reform and Networking of Cultural organisations are the two projects that preceded the TVET initiative, as activities funded by the French Government.

Ambassador Vidal says the recent grant is a new token of France’s interest in the OECS and an appreciation of the efficiency of functional corporation within the sub-region.

He indicated that the success of this TVET initiative relies on the experience, expertise and efficiency of the OECS Secretariat in matters of professional development, as well as the input of the French territories in providing facilities to ensure that the programme succeeds. He further stated that the gesture demonstrates the willingness of the French government to get the OECS islands closer to the French departments of Guadeloupe and Martinique.

Acting Director General George Goodwin, on accepting the cheque, described the occasion as the latest chapter in the strengthening of relations between the OECS and French overseas territories. He added that it further cements the corporation agreement that was signed about 10 years ago, between the OECS and the territories of Guadeloupe and Martinique. Goodwin also noted that further funding of the TVET initiative by France, hinges on the success of the first phase as well as the availability of funds from another source facilitated by the French Territories., known as Interreg II.