A construction company is expected to provide $750,000 over three years to support trades training at the Antigua and Barbuda College of Advanced Studies, Education Minister Daryll Matthew says.

Speaking on the Browne and Browne Show, Matthew said officials were preparing to sign a memorandum of understanding under which the company would provide $250,000 annually for an initial three-year period.

The proposed funding would support the development of skilled tradesmen and tradeswomen, he said.

Matthew outlined the arrangement while discussing investment in the Harrison Centre and efforts to expand technical and vocational education.

He said the ministry was seeking to equip more people with practical skills while encouraging greater participation by boys in education.

“We’re looking at all aspects of education to see how we can not only build out our society with trained persons, but how we can capture more boys into the net of education, whether technical education or otherwise,” he said.

Matthew highlighted plumbing, masonry, carpentry, electrical work and mechanics as fields in which technical training could help people remain competitive as technology changes the workplace.

He said the emphasis on those programmes was intended to benefit both students pursuing trades and the wider society.

The agreement had not yet been signed at the time of the broadcast. Matthew did not specify the currency of the proposed grant.

Editor’s note: Confirm the construction company’s name and the grant currency before publication.

This article was originally published by Antigua News Room. Read the original article here: Construction firm to provide $750,000 for trades training, Matthew says.