The annual Saint Lucia Career and College Fair ended on a high note on Nov. 1, providing an opportunity for students, their parents and the wider public to interact with representatives of various local, regional and international educational institutions.

Detailed discussions were held on how tertiary level education could be accessed at the various institutions. The fair also allowed students to consider career paths and the skills and qualifications needed for certain professions.

Minister for Education, Innovation, Gender Relations and Sustainable Development, Hon Dr. Gale Rigobert, satisfied with the outcome of the event encouraged the attending students to prepare themselves to take advantage of the opportunities presented to them.

Over the last year, the Department of Education has been successful in its partnership with American College Testing Inc. The agreement provides for a three to five-year framework that will offer over one thousand students the opportunity to sit the ACT examination. Those with satisfactory scores may gain full or partial scholarships to US colleges.

Also successful is the partnership with Monroe College whereby students who are the first to attain tertiary education are offered a full scholarship.

Minister Rigobert revealed that other partnership agreements are in the pipeline, to help mitigate the high cost associated with attaining tertiary level education.

Kendal Khodra, the Deputy Permanent Secretary, told the audience that partnerships are being forged with financial institutions to help students explore the best funding options.

The 2018 Saint Lucia Career and College Fair was held under the theme, “Securing our Nation’s future – Academically and Professionally”.