PHILIPSBURG:--- Minister of Public Housing, Spatial Planning, Environment and Infrastructure (Ministry VROMI) Hon. Maurice Lake, would like to commend his colleague Minister of Education, Culture, Youth & Sports Hon. Patricia Lourens-Philip with the official opening of the country's National Institute of Professional Advancement (NIPA).
The NIPA opened on Tuesday and has over 80 students. The institute offers advanced vocational education during the daytime and in the evening.
NIPA offers courses from one year up to four and is for participants from 16 years and older; and offers adult classes and short courses.
NIPA curriculum is in the areas of hospitality, construction, care, technology and administration etc. The institute is tailored to the needs and interest of the labour market and the wider Sint Maarten community.
"NIPA presents various opportunities for our young people in developing the necessary skills that our labour market requires. Our young high school graduates need to get the proper skills in order to move forward and NIPA offers them this opportunity where once they complete their area of study they can move into the job market because they will have the skills and necessary tools.
"Also very important, is a management team and board that think outside of the box at the helm of NIPA. This is essential for the success of NIPA. This is a very important institution for the business community and I look forward to the various stakeholders showing interests and working with NIPA to provide in the end jobs for our young people.
"NIPA should also enable our young people to move in the direction of starting their own business. I would like to see more young people heading in this direction and excelling. Once again, congratulations to Minister Lourens who also worked on the project file over the years prior to becoming Minister," Minister Hon. Maurice Lake said on Thursday.