Above: Camille Selvon-Abrahams of Animae Caribe speaking at the event announcing the winners. Photos courtesy the Ministry of Planning and Development.

The Ministry of Planning and Development in collaboration with the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) funded loan operation: Global Services Promotion Programme and the IDB Technical Cooperation project: Manpower Strategy for Trinidad and Tobago developed the Skills for Global Services Initiative.

The programme is recognizing the winners and the potential of their projects to contribute towards a reliable, competent and steady supply of talent to transform the information and communication technology-based sectors in Trinidad and Tobago.

The following were identified by the IDB as Trinidad and Tobago’s Competitive Advantage in the ITeS sector:

• Geographic proximity to major target markets and the country has a similar time zone to the US and Canada – the world’s largest markets for ITeS;

• Language and familiarity with culture of the target markets;

• Economic stability;

• Education system and quality of human capital.

Utilising these advantages, this Programme is geared towards micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) and the general objective is to support the advancement of Trinidad and Tobago’s positioning as a renowned location for the global provision of Information Technology enabled Services (ITeS) as well as to increase the capacity and cadre of skills currently existing in our society. 

Another broad objective is setting the wheels in motion for the transformation of our economy focusing on information technology as a catalyst.   ITeS is defined as all of the activities utilizing information technology to increase the profitability and efficiency of an organization.  In this case, the Government intends to expand the expected impacts of the ITeS through increased exports and employment in the IT sector. 

This is supported by a host of activities which include training and support services, investment promotion and branding, and capacity building to improve the business climate and regulatory framework in Trinidad and Tobago.

The beneficiaries of the Program are students, the unemployed and underemployed who will benefit directly through training and skills development; ITeS companies engaged in exporting who require additional qualified labour to scale their exports; and MSMEs who wish to increase their export capacity. 

Businesses can therefore maximize their potential either by being able to access the skills of trained professionals who can contribute to their growth or service providers in the IT sector can apply their skills towards the improvement of their own businesses.

This has already taken fruit,  the award ceremony hosted by the Ministry on April 11^th recognised 6 (six) SMSEs who received awards totalling TT $3.2 million for the development of training programmes and other initiatives in collaboration with larger businesses to enhance skills development.  Named Skills for Global Services, this project comprised a competitive process involving bids from interested SMSEs in an effort to be responsive to the current needs of the business community. 

Carolina Gonzalez Velosa of the IDB.

These business needs were attained through a skills needs assessment questionnaire.  In 2017, through a Call for Proposals for the Skills for Global Services, firms throughout the Information Technology enabled Services (ITeS) sector were invited to partner with academic institutions and training providers both local and international to increase the availability of human capital to support the growth and international competitiveness of the firms in the Information Technology enabled Services (ITeS) sector. It is envisaged that this project has the potential to address these existing skills gaps.

“Our awardees today,” said Minister of Planning Camille Robinson-Regis, “are the foundation of our multi-pronged initiative integrating state-of-the-art facilities, training, investment promotion, sector branding, as well as strengthening of the policy and regulatory environment – and we believe the work that they are about to undertake is therefore absolutely essential for Trinidad and Tobago’s continued economic growth. Through them and their efforts, more and more of the iceberg of diversification, will be revealed.”

The project is at the centre of the National Development Strategy for Trinidad and Tobago, Vision 2030 with one of its five major themes being ‘Building competitive businesses’.

This will require  major shifts in our systems, processes, legislation, culture, values and even our education and economic models, but the groundwork is being laid with the Global Services Promotion Programme and the National Development Strategy to build a strong foundation for national development.

After evaluation of the proposals, it was determined that the following six firms were deemed to be successful in the first round of funding:

• Animae Caribe Festival

• Avasant T&T Consulting Limited

• Coded Arts Limited

• Fijitsu Caribbean (Trinidad) Limited

• Lagoon Animation Studios Limited

• Social Justice Foundation

At the event: L-R: Karisa Phillip, Lagoon Animation; Andy Berahazar Jr., Coded Arts; Joanne Deoraj, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Planning & Development; Jessica Yawching, Animae Caribe Festival; Camille Robinson-Regis, Minister of Planning & Development; Rocio Medina Bolivar, Country Representative, Inter-American Development Bank; Chitra Rajeshwari, Avasant; Alicia Charles, Social Justice Foundation; Marie Hinds, Deputy Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Planning & Development; Jean-Paul Dookie, Fujitsu Caribbean (Trinidad); Tracy Hackshaw, Programme Manager, Global Services Promotion Programme. Photo courtesy the Ministry of Planning and Development.