Over the last three years, the Ministry of Science, Technology and Tertiary Education has embarked on a number of initiatives designed to increase access to relevant, quality tertiary level education and skills training. There are various agencies and institutions that were established or co-opted with a view to meeting the goal of increased human resources. These include: .The Accreditation Council of Trinidad and Tobago (ACTT) .Caribbean Industrial Research Institute (CARIRI) .College Science, Technology and Applied Arts of Trinidad and Tobago (COSTAATT) - Central Administrative Services .Eastern Caribbean Institute of Forestry and Agriculture (ECIAF) .Helping Youth Prepare for Employment Programme (HYPE) .Laventille Technology and Continuing Education Centre .Metal Industries Company Ltd. (MIC) .National Energy Skills Centre (NESC) .National Institute of Higher Education, Research, Science and Technology (NIHERST) .National Training Agency (NTA) .Trinidad and Tobago Hospitality and Tourism Institute (TTHTI) .The Institute of Marine Affairs .The University of the West Indies (UWI) .The University of Trinidad and Tobago (UTT) John Donaldson Technical Institute Joint Services Staff College San Fernando Technical Institute Government Vocational Centre, Point Fortin Eastern Caribbean Institute of Agriculture and Forestry .Youth Training and Employment Partnership Programme (YTEPP) The Accreditation Council of Trinidad and Tobago (ACTT) The Accreditation Council of Trinidad and Tobago (ACTT) is the agency established by the Government of Trinidad and Tobago to govern and regulate the National Accreditation System, which involves registration, accreditation and recognition of educational institutions operating within Trinidad and Tobago and overseas as well as the programmes and qualifications offered by them. Accreditation Council of Trinidad and Tobago (ACTT)- www.actt.org.tt List of Registered Institutions Back to Top Caribbean Industrial Research Institute(CARIRI) CARIRI was established on January 1st. 1970 via an Act of Parliament providing for the incorporation of the Caribbean Industrial Research Institute under the laws of Trinidad and Tobago. The role of CARIRI then, and now, is spelled out in the Act as follows: .To provide technical and industrial services to public and private industrial enterprises .To collect and disseminate technical information, including applicable industrial enterprises .To undertake chemical analytic work, particularly in connection with quality control testing in food industries and other local industries .To provide physical (measurements) and materials testing services .To provide engineering services, including assistance with establishing production lines, prototype designs, and maintenance and repair problems .To undertake economic and technical feasibility studies, including market surveys, with a view to identifying bankable projects .To advise the Government of Trinidad and Tobago on the formulation of specifications, the promulgation and application of industrial processes and practices and the preparation of industrial standards .To engage in industrial research programmes related to the needs of Trinidad and Tobago and of the Caribbean region Caribbean Industrial Research Institute (CARIRI)-www.cariri.com/index.htm Back to Top College of Science, Technology and Applied Arts of Trinidad and Tobago (COSTAATT) One of the primary objectives of COSTAATT is to contribute to national and regional development, social equity and the development of civil society by providing broad-based access to socially responsive and innovative educational programmes and by encouraging scholarly work and applied research. www.costaatt.edu.tt Back to Top Eastern Caribbean Institute of Agriculture and Forestry (ECIAF) The Eastern Caribbean Institute of Agriculture and Forestry, popularly known by its acronym ECIAF, is synonymous with Agriculture and Agriculture training throughout the islands of the Eastern Caribbean. Mission Statement The Eastern Caribbean Institute of Agriculture and Forestry aims to be the premier regional institute in Agriculture and Forestry, providing training at the para-professional level. ECIAF endeavors to serve the educational and information needs of students by providing high-quality, affordable and accessible educational programmes and services in the fields of Agriculture and Forestry. Overall Objectives The overall objective of the ECIAF is the offering of the best possible training to its technician trainees in Agriculture, Forestry and related fields. At present the Institute offers two programmes - both residential and over a two year duration in Agriculture and Forestry respectively. .The practical aspects of the agriculture and forestry programmes are given priority throughout the programme and are mostly conducted on the Institute's forty hectare farm at Centeno. Additional practical activities are conducted at private and state farms and the forests of Trinidad and Tobago. .The Diploma in Agriculture or Forestry replaced the ECIAF Associate degree which is equivalent to an Associate Degree offered at North American community colleges. ECIAF graduates pursuing higher education at UWI and at regional and international institutions (Guyana, USA, Canada) are usually exempted from the freshman and sophomore year of the 4-year bachelor's degree. At the University of the West Indies, the ECIAF graduate (Agriculture and Forestry) matriculates into the first year of the 3-year B.Sc. Agriculture programme. Additionally, National Scholarships (Trinidad & Tobago) are offered each year to the top two agriculture/forestry graduates to study for the B.Sc. Agriculture at the University of the West Indies and other selected Institutions. Additional Information on ECIAF In January 2006, the New Programmes Unit was added, with the mandate to develop new programmes for introduction within the shortest possible time. It is proposed that the following three programmes: .Certificate in Animal Health and Veterinary Public Health .An Associate Degree in Ornamental Horticulture .National Engineering Technician Diploma in Agriculture (NETDA) It is expected that these programmes would be fully implemented by September, 2007. In July 2006, ECIAF was removed from COSTAATT. In January 2007, the ECIAF Campus is now under transition to the University of Trinidad and Tobago, further to a Government directive. Back to Top Helping Youth Prepare for Employment (HYPE) The HYPE Programme, which is managed by the Metal Industries Company Limited, commenced in 2002 with the mission to assist young low-income individuals who are not job-ready to acquire the skills, knowledge and courage to become self-supporting.The Programme is open to nationals of Trinidad and Tobago between the ages of 17 and 25. Back to Top Laventille Technology and Continuing Education Centre The Laventille Technology and Continuing Education Centre was established in 2004 as a centre of excellence to provide training to the people of the community. The instruction has a particular focus on training in industries which are in demand therefore fostering a supply of trained workers to fuel manpower resources to handle large projects within and outside of this country. The centre offers long term and short courses which are certified to international standards. Back to Top Metal Industries Company (MIC) Limited The MIC aims to be the key institutional driver in developing national technological capability for increasing quality, range and throughput of manufactured products and technical services for industry in Trinidad and Tobago and internationally. Metal Industries Company (MIC) Limited- www.mic.co.tt Back to Top National Energy Skills Centre (NESC) NESC was established in 1997 with the objective of ensuring the continuous availability of a skilled human resource base to support an aggressive industrial development thrust.  The NESC is a partnership between the Government of Trinidad and Tobago and the major industries of the Energy Sector. Though focused mainly on the training needs of the Energy Sector, NESC training seeks to covers all sectors. National Energy Skills Centre (NESC)- www.ttma.com/noticedocs/nesc.pdf Back to Top National Institute of Higher Education, Research, Science and Technology (NIHERST) The National Institute of Higher Education, Research, Science and Technology (NIHERST) was established as a statutory body by the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago Act No. 20 of 1984, now Chapter 39:58. This Act outlines NIHERST's mandate for the development of science, technology and higher education in Trinidad and Tobago. Science, technology and innovation (STI) are considered major contributors to the nation’s economic and social development and in particular the attainment of the goal of developed country status by 2020. The Government of Trinidad and Tobago has therefore committed itself to the integration of STI into the activities of every sector. NIHERST supports the Government’s vision by: .Helping to promote and develop Trinidad and Tobago’s intellectual, institutional and social capacity to create and innovate using science and technology, which involves developing capacity in applied research and development; supporting education and training in science and technology; and fostering a national ethos and culture of STI; .Serving as a focal point and co-ordinating agency for national, regional and international STI initiatives. NIHERST offers services to members of the public in the following areas: .Awards for Innovation and Invention .School and Family Visits to the NIHERST/NGC National Science Centre .Vacation Innovation/Invention Camps .Vacation One-day Science Camps .Curriculum Based Workshops .Workshops on Informal Science Learning .Telescope Viewings .Library Services http://www.niherst.gov.tt/index.htm Back to Top National Training Agency (NTA) The National Training Agency (NTA) is an umbrella agency for effecting reform in technical and vocational education and training (TVET) in Trinidad and Tobago. The organization’s role is to co-ordinate and regulate technical and vocational education and training, promoting and facilitating a coherent system of quality TVET. Its mission is to facilitate and promote the development of a competent workforce through lifelong learning, labour market research, National Occupational Standards and quality assurance of the TVET system. National Training Agency (NTA)-www.ntatt.org/homepage.html Back to Top The Institute of Marine Affairs (IMA) The Institute of Marine Affairs (IMA) is a multi-disciplinary organisation which was established by Act of Parliament No. 15 of 1976 (Chap. 37:01 of the Laws of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago, 1980) following negotiations for an agreement signed in 1974 between the Government of Trinidad and Tobago and the United Nations through its Executing Agency, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). The Institute was mandated to collect, analyse and disseminate data relating to the economic, technological, environmental, social and legal developments in marine affairs generally and to formulate and implement specific programmes/projects to achieve the overall objectives both locally and regionally. Their mission is to conduct fundamental and applied research in marine affairs to ensure the sustainable use of the natural resources of Trinidad and Tobago; to make the results of such research available to the Government for the formulation of coherent and consistent policies in the conservation and management of marine and related resources; and to respond to general needs for information and collaboration with all sectors of Trinidad and Tobago and the wider Caribbean. The Institute of Marine Affairs (IMA)- www.ima.gov.tt Back to Top The University of the West Indies (UWI) For decades, the University of the West Indies (UWI) has been the university of choice for thousands of leaders and international icons. Established in 1948, UWI is a dynamic, accredited, international institution with three main campuses in Barbados, Jamaica and Trinidad and Tobago. UWI offers accredited undergraduate and postgraduate degrees, as well as certificate and diploma programmes designed to meet the changing needs of the local, regional and global arena. It also offers real world training through successful internship and mentorship programmes. University of the West Indies (UWI), St. Augustine- www.sta.uwi.edu Back to Top The University of Trinidad and Tobago (UTT) The University of Trinidad and Tobago (UTT) is the fruit of a partnership between the Government and key industry partners, established to provide quality training for nationals. The UTT is designed to discover and develop entrepreneurs, commercialise research and development, and spawn companies for wealth generation and sustainable job creation towards the equitable enhancement of the quality of life of all individuals,  families and communities of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago and the Caribbean. University of Trinidad and Tobago (UTT)- www.utt.edu.tt Back to Top Trinidad and Tobago Hospitality and Tourism Institute (TTHTI) TTHTI offers at its Trinidad campus education and training in Hotel, Restaurant and Tourism Management at the associate degree, certificate and vocational levels. Programmes offered include Culinary Arts, Food and Beverage, Travel and Front Office Training. Other services include catering, placement and consultancy. Trinidad and Tobago Hospitality and Tourism Institute (TTHTI)- www.hospitalitytnt.com Back to Top Youth Training and Employment Partnership Programme (YTEPP) YTEPP provides skills training to persons who are out of school and unemployed and targets persons 15 years and over. Training is available in 70 vocational skills courses, micro-enterprise development and career enhancement, and is conducted at 22 part-time and 3 full-time centres as well as in various communities. The National Examination Council certifies the vocational skills courses. Youth Training and Employment Partnership Programme www.ytepp.gov.tt Back to Top