New Eco-Economy Center Set for Belize City

ITVET Belize City will soon be home to the country’s first Center for Blue and Green Economy. The Government of Belize, with support from the Inter-American Development Bank, is investing nearly two million dollars to transform an existing building into a modern learning space. Today, officials broke ground and unveiled a plaque, marking the start of this ambitious project. News Five’s Paul Lopez has the details.

 

Paul Lopez, Reporting

ITVET Belize City is getting a major upgrade, a brand-new training center worth almost two million dollars. It’s a big investment, but the Government of Belize and the Inter-American Development Bank are teaming up to make it happen. The objective is to create a modern space that prepares Belizeans for the jobs of tomorrow. And, according to Minister of Education, Oscar Requena, the existing structure will be transformed into more than just another set of classrooms. It will be a center for training in blue and green economy related fields.

 

Oscar Requena, Minister of Education

“Essentially the building is going to be completely rehabilitated and equipped with two laboratories. We have a GIS laboratory, and we are also going to see an engineering laboratory. We are really preparing our young people for the blue and green economy. We are very excited and hoping that once completed we are going to be able to cater to those areas of national development that are essential for us and we hope to be able to motivate and attract more students to come to the institutions, with an emphasis on young women. We want to see young women come to the ITVET and engage in the various courses being offered. This project has a total estimated cost of one point nine million dollars, to rehabilitate and install and ensure the necessary equipment is in place.”

 

IDB Country Representative Karla Gonzalez was present at today’s groundbreaking ceremony on the compound. She emphasized the importance of such a training center in today’s evolving world. Gonzalez described some of the features that will be included in the finished product.

 

Karla Gonzalez, Country Representative, I.D.B

“This Center for the Blue and Green Economy will help to close critical skill gaps by providing training and education aligned with the needs of a changing economy. The design of the facility embodies sustainability. It will integrate climate resilient and green building architecture, meeting certification standards. Inside, classrooms and labs will be equipped for hands on, industry relevant training, in areas such as renewable energy, marine resource management and sustainable construction. Just as important, instructors will be trained to deliver this curriculum using innovative teaching methods that promote active high-quality learning. This initiative reflects a shared vision between the Government of Belize and the Inter-American Development Bank.”

 

And so, this is one step in the government’s plan to increase investments in ITVET’s across the country. Chief Executive Officer Dian Maheia spoke about how the new learning center will contribute to national development.

 

Dian Maheia, Chief Executive Officer, Ministry of Education

“It does not matter where we are or what we are call to do. What matters is that we do. The action is what is important. It is no accident of nature that the slogan for the ministry is “To Make Education Work for Belize”. If we don’t work nothing gets done. So we are here because of work that has been happening and work that will happen and we are here in this place because the work that happens here is critically important to development of our nation. And the work that will happen here will impact national development.”

 

The ministry expects that the Center for Blue and Green Economy will attract more women to seek training in the technical and vocational field. Reporting for News Five, I am Paul Lopez.