If all goes as planned, there should be a new educational opportunity in Anguilla in September for young Anguillians desirous of developing their skills to meet the growing demands of the local job market.

That opportunity is expected to be the hospitality component of a comprehensive technical skills development programme eventually to be provided by a fully-established national community college.

Recent press briefings by the Ministry of Education and visiting consultants have indicated that arrangements for the start up of the college are well in hand, complete with lecturers, proper administrative machinery, curriculum plans and other details. At one of the last media meetings it was mentioned that a suitable building was being looked at to begin the new educational activities until a permanent place of accommodation could be provided for the college.

The planned college, which has been long talked about, will indeed be a much-needed educational facility to provide technical skills training for Anguillian students not academically inclined. They will be able to attend a full line of technical courses, according to the plans. As the development programmes for Anguilla continue to take effect, it is envisaged that there will be plenty of room and opportunity for a variety of technically-trained people.

With the surge of tourism development now taking place in Anguilla, there is a growing demand for training in the hospitality sector. It therefore makes much sense for the emphasis on training to be placed in this field at the outset, not only giving ordinary students a chance to develop themselves in this area, but also to provide courses for persons already working in our hotels, villas, restaurants and at other tourism-related businesses. It can only make these latter persons more confident and professional in their work.

It is high time that there should be another level of education in Anguilla. The coming community college may well be the answer to many of our training needs on the island. Let all of us look forward to that day and do our part to promote the further education and development of our people.

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