fbpx
Second road safety project concluded 5-day training
April 25, 2023
Football Federation of Belize offers Concacaf B License Coaches Course for men and women in June
April 25, 2023

IDB-funded study finds Belize’s economy transitioning to service sector

Posted: Tuesday, April 25, 2023. 9:37 am CST.

By Zoila Palma Gonzalez: On April 24, 2023, the Government of Belize and the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) met to discuss the IDB-funded study entitled “Skills to Shape the Future: Employability in Belize.”

The objective of the study is to highlight the changing landscape of Belize’s economy and the challenges and opportunities present to enable students and workers with the necessary skills to thrive in the labour market, looking at what students or workers lack and what employers seek. 

The study recognises that Belize’s economy is transitioning toward the service sector and has great potential for workforce development in soft and digital skills.

Additionally, new survey data from 2023 reveals a growing trend for the integration of Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR) technology into businesses which will only increase in importance in the future, including the need for cloud computing, cybersecurity, and systems integration skills. 

The data also shows that half of the employers surveyed believe that there is a skills gap in 4IR technology among recent graduates, necessary for the current and future workplace and the space of technology.

Research presented also revealed that female students are at a disadvantage in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM).

 Emma Naslund-Hadley, Lead Education Specialist for IDB, stated, “The analysis of the study shows that many women who are trained in the exact sciences do not work in their fields of study. In fact, they are something of an untapped resource for economic growth, particularly given Belize’s increasing need for an educated workforce and women constituting two-thirds of people with a higher education attainment.”

The 2023 survey results support these findings, with 44.5% of teachers surveyed believing that there is gender discrimination and/or stereotypes against female students in STEM education and training. 

At the same time, some 40% of female employers hold the same view of differential treatment of women in STEM education and training.

Therefore, the Government of Belize has committed to continue to work hand in hand with IDB to further understand why these challenges exist and their implications and seek opportunities to close those skills gaps. 

This will enable students and workers to better shape their futures by becoming employable, thus building and growing Belize’s economy.

Present at the meeting were Dr. Osmond Martinez, Chief Executive Officer in the Ministry of Economic Development; Dian Maheia, Chief Executive Officer in the Ministry of Education, Culture, Science and Technology; Emma Naslund-Hadley, Lead Education Specialist, IDB; and Maria Fernanda Prada, Education Specialist, IDB; and other government officials and representatives of statutory bodies.

 

Advertise with the mоѕt vіѕіtеd nеwѕ ѕіtе іn Belize ~ We offer fully customizable and flexible digital marketing packages. Your content is delivered instantly to thousands of users in Belize and abroad! Contact us at mаrkеtіng@brеаkіngbеlіzеnеwѕ.соm or call us at 501-601-0315.

 

© 2023, BreakingBelizeNews.com. Content is copyrighted and requires written permission for reprinting in online or print media. Theft of content without permission/payment is punishable by law.

Comments

  • Galen University
  • Belmopan Aggregates
  • larry waight
  • Belmopan Aggregates
  • cahal pech village resort
  • Galen University
  • Shindaiwa
  • Belmopan Aggregates