One of the biggest intergovernmental organizations and integration movements in the Western hemisphere, the Caribbean Community (CARICOM), celebrates its 50th Anniversary with the theme ‘50 Years Strong: A Solid Foundation to Build On’. We at the Barbados Accreditation Council (BAC) wish to pay kudos to this body for the immaculate strides it has enabled our brothers and sisters of the region to make.
From its inception on July 4, 1973, when the Founding Fathers, Prime Ministers The Right Excellent Errol Barrow, Barbados; Forbes Burnham, Guyana; Michael Manley, Jamaica, and The Honorable Dr. Eric Williams, Trinidad and Tobago signed the Treaty of Chaguaramas, this Treaty fostered the path and paved the way for stronger unity and deeper regional integration.
The BAC is the sole body in Barbados responsible for the granting of Certificates of Recognition of CARICOM Skills Qualification to applicants who satisfy the requirements for recognition as CARICOM skilled nationals and examining and verifying Certificates of Recognition of Caribbean Community Skills granted to community nationals by Member States. This is an integral part of the operations of the CSME, a critical element enabling members of the community to move freely, thereby facilitating the transfer of skills, knowledge and innovation. Through this movement, both academically qualified and skilled nationals continue to enhance the richness of the region. Since 2007, the Council has issued over 3000 certificates to CARICOM nationals from 14 Caribbean countries in the categories of University Graduates, Media Workers, Sports Persons, Musicians, Artisans, Nurses, Teachers, Artistes, Holders of Associate Degrees or Comparable Qualifications, and more recently to Agricultural Workers, Household Domestics and Security Guards.
As CARICOM celebrates its golden jubilee, we at the BAC applaud these efforts and seek to continue to build on the legacy started by our Founding Fathers. This integration movement is essential in fostering the CARICOM identity and the spirit of community and unity. We as one nation and one people must commit to continue to build our community towards excellence. Our Board and staff will continue to celebrate CARICOM for its drive towards the development of nations, its accomplishments and milestones as seen throughout the numerous initiatives and continue to build on the solid foundation.
