Castries, Saint Lucia, <\/em>October 28th, 2019; <\/strong>The Caribbean Electric Utilities Corporation<\/p>\n <\/p>\n CARILEC,\u00a0 LUCELEC and SLCTVET Executives share the moment<\/strong><\/em><\/p><\/div>\n (CARILEC) has concluded a milestone initiative to upgrade occupational standards for electric line workers to National Vocational Qualification (NVQ) credential level.\u00a0 These Standards are critical to the process of continuous development, and to the standardization of training and certification in line with CARICOM Vocational Training (CVQ) credentials.<\/p>\n According to CARILEC\u2019s Training Manager Laurena Primus, the CARILEC Line Worker \u00a0programme holds major significance for the sector in the Caribbean region. \u00a0As an NVQ credential, it facilitates the OECS Free Movement of Skills regime. At the CARICOM level, it facilitates the Free Movement of Goods and Services CSME regime, which promotes the removal of barriers to intra-regional movement and the harmonization of standards to ensure acceptability of goods and services traded.\u00a0 \u201cIn addition to establishing professional standards and accreditation for the industry in the region, the Standards will also fast track the process of\u00a0 pursuing CVQ accreditation, while also professionalizing the career \u00a0of Caribbean line workers\u201d, Ms. Primus explained.<\/p>\n The competency-based programme covers five core thematic areas: Maintenance Basics, Overhead Distribution \u2013 De-Energized, Overhead Distribution – Energized, Underground (URD) and Transmission. It consists of instructors\u2019 guide and a comprehensive student workbook containing 78 units – each highlighting OSHA regulation snapshots and field performance requirements, high-quality videos, prior learning assessment recognition, end of unit assessment, Train-The-Trainer, on-the-job training, field performance reports and final exams.<\/p>\n The St. Lucia Technical Vocational\u00a0Council collaborated with CARILEC to complete the Line worker Occupational Standards, which they formerly handed over to CARILEC during a brief ceremony on Friday October 25, 2019. The process of developing the standards began with the purchase of a generic off-the-shelf, four-year course\u00a0spanning the entire range of linesman training from entry level to journeyman level. Thereafter CARILEC enlisted the expertise of the St. Lucia Vocational Council and subject matter experts from LUCELEC to validate the material, and customize the Standards to the context of Caribbean Utilities realities.<\/p>\n Ms Valerie Leon Chairperson SLCTVET hand over the LWSM to CARILEC Executive Director\u00a0 Dr. Cletus Bertin<\/strong><\/em><\/p><\/div>\n CARILEC’s Executive Director Dr. Cletus Bertin described the completion and formalization of occupational standards as \u201can important and timely milestone\u201d for the CARILEC Linesman Programme. The programme was established in 2009 to assist CARILEC Member Utilities with the professional development of their lines workers and to simplify CARILEC\u2019s disaster assistance efforts. \u201cIts value and timing can be best appreciated when viewed vis-\u00e0-vis the changing weather phenomenon, recent experiences of the devastation of electrical infrastructure and our response through the CARILEC Disaster Assistance Programme. In such instances meriting joint manpower support to a Member Unity, line workers have to work on electrical configurations that are different from those in their home country. A harmonized procedural approach is beneficial at many levels, not least among which is safety,\u201d Dr. Bertin said.<\/p>\n Executives of CARILEC,\u00a0 SLCTVET and LUCELEC celebrate the completion of the SLWOSM<\/strong><\/em><\/p><\/div>\n About CARILEC:<\/strong><\/p>\n The Caribbean Electric Utility Service Corporation (CARILEC) is an association of energy solution providers and other stakeholders operating in the electricity industry in the Caribbean. CARILEC was established in 1989 with nine (9) members as part of an electric utilities modernization project funded by USAID and implemented by NRECA under a five-year “Co-operative Agreement.” Currently, CARILEC comprises a total of one hundred and seventeen (117) members. This includes thirty-four (34) Full Members that are electric utilities, and over eighty (80) Associate and Affiliate Members that are companies involved in some aspect of servicing the electric utility business.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/carilec.digitalwurl.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/10\/CARILEC-LUCELEC-and-SLCTVET-Executives-share-the-moment-300x225.jpg\")
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