Education Minister Daryll Matthew says artificial intelligence is not a threat to skilled work but a force that reshapes it, reinforcing the need for strong technical and vocational training in Antigua and Barbuda.

Matthew was speaking on Wednesday at the opening of the annual Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) Expo at the Sir John E. St Luce Centre, where he stressed that sustainable national development depends on skilled hands, trained minds and practical expertise.

“No country can build sustainably without engineers, technicians, artisans, coders, electricians, hospitality professionals, agro-processors and creatives,” the minister said, noting that these professions sit “at the very centre” of development, not on its margins.
Addressing concerns about the rise of artificial intelligence, Matthew explained that while machines can process data, they still depend on people to install systems, maintain infrastructure, interpret outputs, ensure safety, manage quality and solve real-world problems. As technology advances, he added, demand for skilled, adaptable workers is increasing rather than declining.

He said this approach is reflected in the government’s Education Sector Strategy, which focuses on producing learners who are skilled, certified, adaptable and employable. The strategy includes expanding pathways beyond traditional academic routes, strengthening technical and vocational education, and aligning education with economic growth, social mobility and national resilience.

“TVET sits at the heart of that strategy,” the minister emphasised.

Director of Education Clare Browne also addressed the opening ceremony, reflecting on the expo’s theme, Design, Develop, Learn and Grow. He described the theme as both aspirational and instructional, highlighting the deliberate direction education must take in the 21st century.

“A modern education system can no longer be satisfied with preparing students simply to navigate a digital world,” Browne said. “It must equip them to shape that world. Knowledge without application is incomplete; theory without practice is unfinished work.”

He noted that the education paradigm has shifted, requiring the intentional integration of academic learning with technical and vocational qualifications. “This is not a choice between paths, but a convergence of purpose,” he stated.

The opening ceremony featured a student-led fashion show, with garments both designed and modelled by students. Over the two-day event, the expo showcases a wide range of student-produced items, including condiments, electronics, clothing, floral arrangements, hair products, and arts and crafts.