WILLEMSTAD – Four Curaçao ministers have signed an interministerial Letter of Intent (LOI) aimed at strengthening cooperation between education and the labor market as concerns continue to grow about the mismatch between school training and workforce needs on the island.
The agreement was signed during the “Education & Labor Market in Dialogue” conference held on May 13 at the Courtyard by Marriott Curaçao.
The conference was organized by the Ministry of Education, Science, Culture and Sport (OWCS) as part of the Mehorashon di Enseñansa program and brought together students, employers, education professionals, and representatives from multiple ministries.
Minister Charetti America, Minister Shalton Hato and Minister Sithree Heydoorn
The ministerial panel included representatives from the ministries of OWCS, Social Development, Labor and Welfare (SOAW), Economic Development (MEO), and Public Governance, Planning and Service (BPD).
According to the ministry, the four ministers committed themselves to long-term structural cooperation aimed at improving the transition from education to employment.
Discussions during the conference focused heavily on the growing disconnect between educational programs and the practical needs of Curaçao’s labor market. Participants highlighted concerns that many programs remain too focused on theoretical knowledge and diplomas, while employers increasingly demand practical skills, workplace attitude, flexibility, and competencies aligned with the island’s economic development.
The conference also emphasized the importance of cooperation between government, schools, employers, parents, and young people.
Minister of Education Sithree van Heydoorn said the discussions demonstrated that no single institution can solve the issue alone.
According to the ministry, the conference concluded with eight priority themes that will be further developed in the coming months, including soft skills, workplace learning, mentorship, modernization of education, communication between stakeholders, lifelong learning, and the future of work.
A follow-up conference is planned for November to further validate and expand on the proposals discussed during the event.