The ground breaking ceremony for the construction of the long awaited Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) Centre at the Albena Lake-Hodge Comprehensive School’s Campus Q took place on the afternoon of Tuesday, July 15th 2025.
A prayer for the blessing of the site, as well as the safety and protection of everyone during the construction of the facility was offered by Pastor Gareth Hodge of the Hill Top Baptist Church.
The school’s Principal, Dr. Trevor Hodge, in a brief remark noted: “The breaking of ground for the new technical wing of the Albena Lake-Hodge Comprehensive School is more than just a construction project. This is a significant milestone in the history of education in Anguilla.”
He stated that the construction of the new TVET facility marks a commitment to progress, to innovation, and most importantly to the young people of Anguilla. “Today we prepare the foundation, not just of a building, but of an opportunity. This wing will serve as a hub for technical and vocational education, thus equipping our students with the skills needed to thrive in a world that is rapidly changing,” Mr. Hodge affirmed.
The Hon. Minister of Education and Social Development, Mrs. Shellya Rogers-Webster described the TVET project initiative as a testament to supporting the education system. “The support of the education system is three-pronged,” she said. “There is the support of the teachers, ensuring that there are competent educators. Then, these teachers also need support in being equipped with pertinent resources necessary to perform their duties well. But, equally important, there is the support of providing the teachers and students with the appropriate infrastructure compliment that would allow them to be able to properly function in their technical space comfortably. They must be able to have hands-on training and technical experience.”
She stressed that the support of the technical element of education is just as important as the academic element. “This administration is committed to ensuring that we give attention to the three prongs of support for education,” she said.
The Hon. Premier Cora Richardson-Hodge was also enthused about the TVET Center now becoming a reality, after such a long wait. Plans for the Campus Q construction had been initiated in 2018 by the previous AUF administration of which she was the Minister of Home Affairs. However, construction work proceeded under the APM administration, after it defeated the AUF at the polls in 2020. Notwithstanding, due to financial constraints, Campus Q was constructed without the planned TVET facility.
“Today, we are not only breaking ground, we are not only continuing the work of the previous AUF administration under which the construction of Campus Q started, but more importantly, we are continuing to show our commitment to putting people – our children – first,” the Premier said.
“This moment marks more than the start of a construction project. It represents our Government’s unwavering commitment to equipping our young people with the skills, tools and opportunities they need to thrive in a rapidly evolving world.
“Technical and vocational education is a critical pathway to innovation, entrepreneurship, national development and sustainability, whether it is in construction, automotive technology, digital media or electrical trades. These are the skills that build economies and sustain livelihoods…,” the Premier noted.
“To the staff and students of the Albena Lake-Hodge Comprehensive School, this space is for you,” the Premier announced. “May it become a hub of excellence, creativity and empowerment. And to all who have made this vision a reality, I extend my deepest gratitude.”
Also making remarks was Ministerial Assistant, Mr. Jeison Bryan. As a young politician, on behalf of Government he expressed his sense of happiness and delight in the fact that the TVET Centre as a campaign promise had been ultimately fulfilled, after some delay.
The company that will be undertaking the actual construction is Synergy Consultancy and Construction. This company had done extensive construction work on other areas of Campus Q since its inception. Synergy personnel are therefore quite familiar with the facility in its entirety.
Principal of Synergy, Jerome Richardson, introduced his business partner, Mark Jno Baptiste. Mr. Richardson expressed his gratitude to the Government for awarding Synergy the contract for the construction. “We acknowledge the trust that you have put in our company,” he said. “This is a critical project for this island, and it is known for social equity, inclusion and sustainable development.”
Mr. Richardson said that Synergy anticipates completing the TVET block within thirteen months after actual work commences. That work began on Wednesday, July 16th with excavation operations.
