EBONA Richards has long been fascinated with electrical systems. Now, she has taken steps to match that keen interest within an apt school environment by returning to her alma mater, St Mary Technical High School, as a technical and vocational training educator.

The recent graduate of The Mico University College says her decision to “return home” is owed to St Mary Technical’s strong reputation in technical and vocational education and training (TVET), its well-equipped facilities, and supportive learning environment.

“The school focuses on practical skills and has a great track record of successful graduates in the subject area. I believe it is the perfect, or ideal place to develop my technical expertise and have a successful career in the field of electrical education,” she said.

Richards said she developed a strong personality as well as lifelong friendships and mentors during her time at the school.

One of the main instructors is Richard Allen, who was recently highlighted in Education Minister Fayval Williams’ Teacher Tuesday Instagram Spotlight Initiative features. Allen has been a teacher for more than 20 years.

He currently administers the industrial arts portfolio at St Mary Technical, directly teaching industrial technology (electrical) and electronics technology (CSEC level), electrical and electronic engineering technology (CAPE level), electrical installation NVQJ Level 2, green engineering (CAPE level) and renewable energy NVQJ Level 2, through the school.

Richards echoed his sentiments that the teaching strategy of project-based learning — with the added component of preparation for exhibitions/competitions and competitive displays — effectively delivers a curriculum that integrates theory with practical instruction and problem-solving.

For Richards and others, it also instilled passion for technical and vocational skills.

One of the challenges during her journey, a project on circuit design — which is an intricate layout of the electrical apparatus arranged to provide electricity at certain specifications — turned into a pivotal learning experience for the only girl in the electrical and electronic technology class at the time. Richards said the experience taught her the value of persistence and hands-on problem-solving through a collaborative environment with her classmates, an approach she intends to duplicate with her students.

“I also hope to inspire and motivate students to pursue a career in electrical engineering by creating a more engaging and interactive learning environment. By sharing real world challenges and applications, as well as success stories from the industry, I aim to show them the tangible impact of their work, providing hands-on projects and opportunities for practical problem-solving I hope will help them to see the immediate relevance and excitement of electrical work,” she explained.

St Mary Technical was the recipient of electronic testing tools from Free Rock Trading Company in April. That equipment, along with the upgrading of the school’s electrical classroom into a renewable energy laboratory at a cost $20 million from the Ministry of Education and Youth, has made the school an exemplary lab site.

Roy Taylor, senior education officer in charge of industrial arts in schools, says the ministry is working to upgrade different schools’ technical and vocational skill laboratories each year, to make them exemplary TVET labs.

He said Allen’s competence level and full support of the principal make St Mary Technical a model demonstration of the success of TVET in schools.

“The principal is supportive of the TVET programmes in general. He has bought into the vision of having students leaving the school competent in one of the practical areas — and by competence I mean they can move straight into industry after school or move on to higher education,” Taylor says.

The ministry has trained 18 teachers from 16 schools in renewable energy NVQJ certification up to level 2, and Taylor is hoping that the teachers expose the students to as much hands-on learning as possible.

Meanwhile, permanent secretary in the education ministry Dr Kasan Troupe recently updated staff on additional plans for TVET. She said a total budget of $400 million has been allocated to boost TVET education in schools over the next academic year. Ten schools will benefit from exemplary lab status, meaning their current infrastructure will be upgraded to make them model schools for their various TVET subjects.

Of note, New Forest High School in Manchester is also the site of TVET laboratory expansion plans, with an intention to do upgrades to make it an exemplary TVET lab site and funds already received toward the expansion of its industrial arts programme and completion of the mechanical technology labs.

Sonya Lemord is research and information officer in the Communications and Public Relations Division of the Ministry of Education and Youth.