New NSCC International ecotourism project in the Caribbean

NSCC International heads to the Caribbean to partner on an ecotourism project.

NSCC International is continuing its work to help foster and enhance the skills of those wanting to work in the green economy. The new project in the Caribbean – Skills to Access the Green Economy (SAGE) – is funded by the Government of Canada and managed by Colleges and Institutes Canada (CICAN).

NSCC is partnering on the new SAGE project (Thematic Partnership SAGE-07) with Niagara and Seneca Colleges, as well as with local partners in Belize, Dominica, Grenada, Guyana, Jamaica and St. Lucia. The focus of this two-year project (2022-24) involves researching eco-tourism needs in the six countries and developing five courses to enhance present tourism programs. These courses will also be offered as micro-credentials to tourism professionals and to students pursuing their education in this area.

The Canadian team will also develop and facilitate train-the-trainer sessions for each country to address specific training needs. The goal of SAGE projects is to strengthen the ability of partner Caribbean training institutions to deliver demand-driven, competency-based education programs and to attract and retain students within those programs.

NSCC International Director Katie Orr says, “NSCC’s participation in this project is part of our commitment to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. It creates an opportunity for participating College employees to apply their skills with international partners. As an additional benefit, the experience creates more capacity at NSCC to support international newcomers to our programs and communities.”

Over the last two years, NSCC has successfully implemented two other SAGE projects:

1. SAGE-03 – focusing on coastal and water management – carried out in partnership with the Marine Institute of Memorial University and TA Marryshow Community College in Grenada
2. Marketing Consultancy – aimed at strengthening the capacity of local partners to promote Technical and Vocational Educational Training (TVET) programs to vulnerable learners.

The project, managed by NSCC International, will begin with a mission to the six Caribbean countries in October 2022. Katie adds, “We’re excited to be collaborating with colleagues from NSCC, Niagara College, Seneca College and designated Caribbean partners on this new opportunity.”