By S.Browne. Updated 10:30 a.m., Wednesday, July 22, 2026, Atlantic Standard Time (GMT-4).
A new census analysis project will examine how Saint Vincent and the Grenadines’ education and training systems align with the skills needed by young Vincentians and the wider workforce.
According to information released on July 21, 2026, Dunn, Pierre, Barnett & Company Canada Ltd. has commenced work on two major census thematic assignments for the Government of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines under the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS) Data for Decision Making Project, a regional initiative supported by the World Bank.
The assignments will focus on Education and Training and Economic Activity and Labour Market Outcomes, using information from the 2013 and 2023 Population and Housing Censuses to examine the relationship between education, training, employment and economic participation.
Subject to data availability, agreed analytical requirements and the completion of a comprehensive data quality assessment, the project will use anonymised census information to identify changes in areas including educational attainment, labour force participation, employment, unemployment, occupational structures, human capital development and access to education and employment opportunities.
The study will examine whether Vincentians are equipped with the skills required for existing and emerging employment opportunities, including the relationship between qualifications, technical and vocational training, workforce development and employer demand.
The Education and Training Thematic Report will analyse areas such as school attendance, educational attainment, literacy, academic and professional qualifications, university and post secondary education, Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET), employment related training, adult education and barriers affecting access to education and training.
The Economic Activity and Labour Market Outcomes Thematic Report will examine employment and unemployment, labour force participation, occupations and industries, public and private sector employment, self employment, entrepreneurship, informal and vulnerable employment, youth participation in the labour market, gender differences in employment outcomes, employment among persons with disabilities and geographic inequalities.
The combined analysis will also explore youth transitions from school to work, disability and economic inclusion, gender and occupational segregation, and the connection between human capital and national productivity.
The assignments will be led by Labour Statistician and Workforce Development Consultant at Dunn Pierre Barnett & Company Canada Ltd., Dr Justine C. Pierre.
According to the release, Dr Pierre will provide overall technical leadership and serve as the lead labour market specialist, statistician, survey methodologist and demographer. He will oversee the statistical methodology, coordinate the multidisciplinary team, integrate the education and labour market analyses, lead stakeholder engagement and ensure the final outputs meet international statistical and professional standards.
The wider technical team will include Caribbean and international experts in official statistics, economics, education, labour markets, demography, data analysis, Geographic Information Systems (GIS), data visualisation and policy research.
The release identified former Director of Statistics of Suriname, Dr Iwan Sno, as part of the senior advisory team. Dr Sno brings experience in official statistics, census analysis, statistical system development and the management of national statistical programmes.
Also identified was Dean of Graduate Studies at Anton de Kom University of Suriname, Dr Rosita Woodly Sobhie, who brings expertise in economics, statistics, poverty analysis, social protection, migration, disability and socioeconomic policy research.
Specialised support in information systems, data management and data visualisation may also draw on the international experience of Community Systems Foundation and retired World Bank consultant, Dr Jørgen Billetoft, who has experience in labour market research, economic analysis and international development.
National personnel and institutions will remain central to the project, with international and regional experts expected to complement local expertise and work closely with the Statistical Office, relevant ministries and government agencies.
Dr Pierre said the initiative is intended to transform census information into a practical tool for national decision making.
“This initiative is not simply about producing two additional technical reports,” Dr Pierre said. “It is about transforming the census into a national decision making instrument. Our goal is to help the Government and people of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines understand where the country stands in education, skills development, employment, job creation and human capital development, and to identify the actions required to move the country forward.”
He added that making census findings accessible would allow the information to benefit a wider range of stakeholders.
“Census findings must be made accessible. Through statistical profiles, infographics, maps, dashboards and policy focused analysis, the information can be used not only by technical officers, but also by educators, businesses, young people, communities and ordinary citizens,” Dr Pierre said.
The project will involve consultations with ministries, statutory bodies, educational institutions, TVET providers, employers, business associations, trade unions, youth organisations, women’s organisations, disability organisations, civil society institutions, researchers and development partners.
Stakeholders will provide input on skills shortages, education and training challenges, recruitment needs, barriers to employment and entrepreneurship, emerging occupations and industries, and national human capital priorities.
The findings are expected to support planning in areas including education reform, workforce development, youth employment, apprenticeship development, labour market policy, gender equality, disability inclusion, entrepreneurship, private sector development, economic diversification, digital and green economy readiness, skills forecasting and long term national development planning.
All census data will be managed under strict confidentiality, data security and statistical disclosure control arrangements. No information capable of identifying individuals or households will be published.
Dunn Pierre Barnett & Company Canada Ltd., operating as DPB Global, is a management consulting, research, public intelligence and technology firm specialising in technical and vocational education and training, labour market research, workforce development planning, census analysis, survey methodology, economic and policy analysis, data visualisation and decision support systems.
According to the company, DPB Global has completed hundreds of research and consulting assignments and supported projects in more than 40 countries, working with governments, educational institutions, employers, development organisations and communities to transform data into practical policies, programmes and investments that produce social and economic results.
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