New SHTTC and SPWE boards installed

Deputy Minister Raj Jadnanansing of Volksgezondheid, Welzijn en Arbeid (Public Health, Welfare and Labour) on Tuesday installed the new board members of the Suriname Hospitality and Tourism Training Centre (SHTTC) and the Stichting Productieve Werk Eenheden (Foundation for Productive Work Units, SPWE). Both boards have been appointed for three years.

Naomi Ejasjas-Friperson, deputy director of Labour Market at the Directoraat Welzijn en Arbeid, remains chair of SPWE’s Supervisory Board. Don Elliot has been appointed chair of SHTTC’s Board of Directors.

The boards are tripartite in composition and consist of representatives of the government, employers and employees.

During the installation, Jadnanansing said the government wants to strengthen the position of people who have difficulty accessing the labour market. This will involve vocational training and the promotion of small-scale entrepreneurship.

The government aims to have at least 3,000 people trained by the operational arms of the Directoraat Welzijn en Arbeid by the end of 2027. These include the Stichting Arbeidsmobilisatie en Ontwikkeling (SAO), SHTTC and SPWE.

According to the deputy minister, training programmes must better meet employers’ needs. He expects developments in the oil and gas sector and related economic activities to lead to greater demand for workers.

SHTTC provides vocational training for, among others, the tourism and hospitality sectors. SPWE supports people who do not immediately find a job but can use their skills to start or further develop a small business.

Jadnanansing also wants the various training institutes to work more closely together and better align their programmes. This should prevent institutions from separately carrying out the same or similar activities.

According to the deputy minister, a more integrated organisational structure is also being considered, including possible mergers and the corporatisation of institutes. The ministry aims to work more efficiently and better prepare vulnerable groups for participation in the labour market.