594 Public-Sector Workers Receive Over $50 Million in Education Grants
By: , July 1, 2016The Key Point:
The Facts
- The education grants, which provide financial assistance to public-sector workers pursuing tertiary-level studies, were negotiated in the Heads of Agreements for 2015-2017.
- Approximately 300 workers will be trained during the current financial year.
The Full Story
A total of 594 public-sector workers benefited from $50,239,389 in education grants over the period April 2015 to March 2016.
Minister of State in the Ministry of Finance and the Public Service, Hon. Rudyard Spencer, made the disclosure during his contribution to the Sectoral Debate in the House of Representatives on June 29.
He informed that support was provided for studies in the areas of health services, education, engineering, energy efficiency, rural and urban planning and economic development, in support of the National Development Plan.
The education grants, which provide financial assistance to public-sector workers pursuing tertiary-level studies, were negotiated in the Heads of Agreements for 2015-2017.
It is anticipated that approximately 700 workers will access the benefit this financial year at a cost of $100 million.
Children of public-sector workers will also benefit from $25 million in education grants.
Mr. Spencer told the House that discussions are advanced with the HEART Trust/NTA to implement seven training programmes in keeping with an available budgetary allocation.
These programmes are cake baking and decorating, air conditioning and refrigeration, tile laying, interior decorating, floral arrangement, drapery making, and motor-vehicle servicing and repairs.
Approximately 300 workers will be trained during the current financial year.