Taipei, Taiwan (9 May, 2019) – Vocational Education was the focus for Minister Brantley during his visit on Thursday to Taishun Vocational Training Site, Workforce Development Agency (WDA) one of Taiwan’s Ministry of Labour Regional Branches.

This institution comprises of 3 dormitory blocks and three training buildings. Unemployed individuals between the ages of 15-65 may access training, which consists of three components: academic, industrial and educational.  It offers both full and part time programs and short to long-term training. Students may train from 6 months to 4 years and are assisted with finding employment after the second year.  The first year is free, but students are expected to pay starting from their second year at the institution.

Areas of discipline offered include  Electronics, Electrical Engineering, Machinery and Digital Content and Media with a total of 782 work stations.

In 2010, the central government was reorganized and WDA began with  and assistance in business start up and other resources including vocational training to provide seamless employment.

This visit was of particular interest to Minister Brantley, given the St Kitts and Nevis Government’s thrust toward building capacity of youth through vocational training, and his portfolio for education in the Nevis Island Administration. Minister Brantley said he was exploring the possibility of having trainers attend the institution for a train the trainers workshop.

The Minister and his delegation also had a tour of an innovative technology institution known as digiBlock Taipei.