Caribbean construction professionals can receive certification to build disaster-resilient homes. This certification is a Caribbean Vocational Qualification (CVQ) course in Construction Site Supervision.
The training was developed through a partnership between the Caribbean Disaster Emergency Management Agency (CDEMA) and the Caribbean Association of National Training Authorities (CANTA).
The programme is part of CDEMA’s Safer Building Programme. It aims to equip artisans and contractors with the knowledge and skills required to construct houses that can withstand:
- Earthquakes up to a magnitude of 7.0 and
- Category five hurricanes.
A new code developed by CDEMA and the CARICOM Regional Organization for Standards and Quality (CROSQ) forms the basis for the programme. Named the CARICOM Regional Code of Practice for the Construction of Houses (CRCP10: 2023), it provides guidelines aimed at improving structural integrity and disaster resilience in home construction.
To date, the CVQ training has been delivered by educational institutions in the following islands:
- Antigua & Barbuda
- Dominica
- Grenada
- St. Lucia
- St. Vincent & the Grenadines.
Training in Barbados and St. Kitts and Nevis is in progress, whilst the British Virgin Islands (BVI) will complete its training in a subsequent phase.
About the Course
The course aims to train participants on how to supervise the construction of strong and durable houses. The course outline consists of two clusters and nine units:
Cluster 1
Unit 1: Unit 1- Build and Excavate Foundation Footing
Unit 2: Install Floors in Concrete and Timber Homes
Unit 3: Construct Concrete Block Masonry Walls
Unit 4: Construct Timber Walls
Unit 5: Construct Concrete Stairs in Residential Homes
Unit 6: Install Roofs on Timber and Concrete Structures
Cluster 2
Unit 7: Read and Interpret Building Plans and Specifications
Unit 8: Apply Advanced Language and Communication Skills
Unit 9: Provide Customer Service in Construction
To learn more about the CVQ training course, visit the Build Safe website.
Image: Oladipo Adejumo via Unsplash
