The Caribbean Industrial Research Institute (CARIRI), in partnership with Paria Fuel Trading Company Limited (Paria), proudly celebrated the successful completion of the Future Forward initiative, a transformative collaboration that empowered more than 720 students, entrepreneurs and farmers with future-ready skills in innovation, technology, artificial intelligence and sustainable energy.
The closing ceremony brought together government officials, educators, industry leaders, programme participants and other stakeholders to celebrate the achievements of the initiative and its positive impact on communities across Trinidad and Tobago.
Hans-Erich Schulz, Chief Executive Officer of CARIRI, highlighted the importance of strategic partnerships in driving innovation and building national capacity. “At CARIRI, we believe innovation is most impactful when it empowers people. Through this partnership with Paria, we have provided participants with practical skills that will enable them to adapt, innovate and contribute meaningfully to Trinidad and Tobago’s future economy. Future Forward demonstrates what is possible when organisations come together with a shared vision of sustainable national development.”
The ceremony featured addresses by Senator Professor Emeritus the Honourable Prakash Persad, Minister of Tertiary Education and Skills Training, and Dr. the Honourable Michael Dowlath, Minister of Education, both of whom commended the partnership for investing in education, workforce development and innovation while preparing citizens to meet the demands of an increasingly digital and sustainable future.
Over the course of the initiative, CARIRI and Paria delivered four impactful programmes that provided practical training and hands-on learning opportunities across multiple sectors:
- The Innovation Nation Programme for Primary Schools introduced 600 primary school students to coding, STEAM education, entrepreneurship and artificial intelligence, encouraging creativity and critical thinking from an early age.
- The Sustainable Energy Training for Secondary Schools equipped 60 secondary school students with a deeper understanding of renewable energy, sustainability and responsible energy conservation, helping to prepare the next generation of environmental leaders.
- Through the Community Renewable Energy Training, 20 farmers received practical instruction in Off-Grid Solar Systems and Applications in Agriculture, enabling them to explore renewable energy solutions that can improve agricultural productivity and resilience.
- The Tech for Business Programme empowered 40 entrepreneurs and aspiring business owners with practical digital skills in e-commerce, cloud productivity, digital content creation and online business tools to strengthen their competitiveness in today’s digital economy.
One of the highlights of the ceremony was hearing directly from programme participants whose personal stories demonstrated the lasting impact of the initiative.
Macaulay Government Primary School student, Jeremiah Mungal reflected on how the Innovation Nation Programme sparked his curiosity about coding and inspired him to think creatively about solving real-world problems.
Secondary school student Riann Khan of the Marabella South Secondary School, shared how the Sustainable Energy Programme expanded her understanding of environmental stewardship and the important role young people can play in building a more sustainable future.
Registered farmer Nadira Nandlal spoke about the practical value of integrating renewable energy technologies into agriculture, while entrepreneur Stephen Hyacinth described how the Tech for Business Programme strengthened his digital skills and positioned his business for future growth.
The Future Forward initiative supports Trinidad and Tobago’s national diversification agenda by developing skills in areas critical to future economic growth while advancing several United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, including Quality Education (SDG 4), Affordable and Clean Energy (SDG 7), Decent Work and Economic Growth (SDG 8), Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure (SDG 9), and Climate Action (SDG 13).
As the partnership concludes, CARIRI and Paria celebrate not only the successful completion of the programme but also the lasting foundation it has created for continued collaboration, innovation and community empowerment. The achievements of Future Forward demonstrate the transformative power of partnerships in preparing citizens with the skills, confidence and opportunities needed to contribute to a more resilient, innovative and sustainable Trinidad and Tobago.
