BAC by the Numbers – Quarter 3 (July – September 2026) Analytics

CERTIFICATE OF RECOGNITION OF CARICOM SKILLS QUALIFICATION

The Certificate of Recognition of CARICOM Skills Qualification programme facilitates the free movement of labour by CARICOM Skilled Nationals (CSNs) by allowing CSNs of participating CARICOM nations to move between said nations to seek and pursue work opportunities without needing to obtain a work permit. The information below provides insight into the activity within this programme during Quarter 3; July to September 2026:

During Quarter 3, July to September 2026, the Barbados Accreditation Council (BAC) received 353 certificate applications and issued 258 certificates. Compared with Quarter 2, April to June 2026, certificate applications increased by 7.3%, while certificates issued increased by 33.7%. Additionally, the Council received 54 certificate verification requests and completed 50 verifications, representing significant increases of 17.4% and 4.2%; compared with the previous quarter.

Females accounted for the majority of certificate applications received and certificates issued during Quarter 3 2026. Of the 353 applications received, 247; 70% were submitted by females, compared with 106 applications; 30% submitted by males. Moreover, females also accounted for 196 of the 258 certificates issued; 76%, while males received 62 certificates; 24%.

CERTIFICATE APPLICATIONS BY NATIONALITY

Regarding nationality, Jamaican nationals accounted for the largest share of certificate applications, with 280 certificate applications; 79.3%. This was followed by Barbados with 18 applications; 5.1%, Haiti with 17; 4.8%, Guyana and Trinidad and Tobago with 16; 4.5%, St. Lucia with 3; 0.8%, Grenada with 2; 0.6%, and Antigua and Barbuda with 1; 0.3%.

CERTIFICATES ISSUED BY NATIONALITY

Correspondingly, Jamaican nationals also received the largest share of certificates, accounting for 194 of the 258 certificates issued; 75.2% Barbados received 21 certificates; 8.1%, followed by Guyana with 14; 5.4%, Trinidad and Tobago with 13; 5%, Haiti with 8; 3.1%, St. Lucia with 3; 1.5%, Grenada with 2; 0.8%, and Antigua and Barbuda, Dominica and Suriname with 1 each; 0.4%.

CERTIFICATE APPLICATIONS AND CERTIFICATES ISSUED BY SKILLS CATEGORY

The Household Domestic category recorded the highest number of applications; 193; 54.7%. Followed by Graduate with 51; 14.4%, Artisan with 34; 9.6%, Security Guard with 24; 6.8%, Agricultural Worker with 21; 5.9%, Artiste with 16; 4.5%, Holder of an associate degree with 8; 2.3%, Sports Person with 3; 0.8%, Media Person with 2; 0.6%, and Teacher with 1; 0.3%.

Likewise with certificates issued, the Household Domestic category was also the leading category with 120 certificates; 46.5%. Followed by Graduate with 47; 18.2%, Artisan with 27; 10.5%, Security Guard with 19; 7.4%, Agricultural Worker with 17; 6.6%, Artiste with 15; 5.8%, Holder of an associate degree with 10; 3.9%, Media Person with 2; 0.8%, while Sports Person accounted for 1 certificate; 0.4%.

DENIED APPLICATIONS

A total of 122 certificate applications were denied during Quarter 3 2026. It must be noted that denied applications can arise where qualifications or supporting documents cannot be validated, recognised and or verified by the relevant authority, or where reference requirements are not met.

MONTH	DENIED APPLICATIONS
JULY 2026	27
AUGUST 2026	66
SEPTEMBER 2026	29
TOTAL	122

TABLE 1: DENIED APPLICATIONS – Q3 2026

CERTIFICATE VERIFICATION ACTIVITY

Furthermore, the Council received 54 verification requests and completed 50 verifications during Quarter 3 2026. Trinidad and Tobago accounted for the most requests; 22; 40.7%, followed by Jamaica with 20; 37%, Guyana with 4; 7.4%, St. Lucia and Grenada with 3; 5.5% each, and Antigua and Dominica also with 1 each; 1.8%.

Furthermore, the Council received 54 verification requests and completed 50 verifications during Quarter 3 2026. Trinidad and Tobago accounted for the most requests; 22; 40.7%, followed by Jamaica with 20; 37%, Guyana with 4; 7.4%, St. Lucia and Grenada with 3; 5.5% each, and Antigua and Dominica also with 1 each; 1.8%.

Ultimately, there were 0 verification denials recorded for Quarter 3 2026.

BAC OTHER RECOGNITION SERVICES

Notably, the Council continues to provide recognition services that support the assessment and the recognition of qualifications, institutions as well as programmes. The information below provides insight into the activities within these services during Quarter 3 2026:

TABLE 2: BAC OTHER RECOGNITION SERVICES – Q3 2026