A heart-to-heart about the official data on skilled movement, and why it tells a story of balance, not invasion, as we step into our shared future.
My dear Bajan family,
With the historic first of October now upon us, the air has been thick with speculation and, for some, a genuine sense of fear. As a fellow Bajan, I believe the best way to navigate these moments is to look at the facts together, as a family should.
Thanks to a data request, we now have the official numbers from the Barbados Accreditation Council on the CARICOM Skilled Nationals programme from 2016 to 2024. The story they tell is not one of fear, but one of balance, leadership and manageable growth.
Finding #1: Barbados is a leader, not just a destination
The data shows that Barbados is a major hub for enabling regional movement, not just a final destination.
Between 2016 and 2024, our system issued 2 869 Skills Certificates to both Barbadians and other CARICOM nationals. In that same period, we verified only 877 certificates from other CARICOM countries for persons coming to work here.
This is profound. For every three skilled professionals who came to work in Barbados, our system equipped roughly ten professionals to pursue opportunities across the entire region. This is a sign of our high standards and our leadership role in the community.
Finding #2: The ‘flood’ is actually a manageable stream
The numbers of skilled nationals entering Barbados are modest and sustainable.
The total number of certificates verified in Barbados over the nine-year period was 877. This averages out to just 97 skilled professionals per year.
An average intake of fewer than 100 skilled and qualified individuals annually is a manageable stream of talent. This is the definition of capacity building, not a “flood” that overwhelms our social services or job market.
Finding #3: This has always been a two-way street
The data confirms that Barbadians have consistently used the programme to create opportunities for themselves abroad.
In the four years from 2016 to 2019 alone, 582 Barbadian nationals were issued CARICOM Skills Certificates. This shows that we are active participants in this two-way street, not passive bystanders. We have always been a people who travel, contribute and build across the region and the world.
My family, the story these numbers tell is one of balance, not invasion. It is a story of a system that is facilitating a multi-directional exchange of talent. The fears, while deeply felt in some quarters, are not reflected in the official data.
As we step into this new chapter, let us be guided by these facts. Let us choose confidence over anxiety and lead this conversation with a clear understanding of the balanced and promising reality.
Next, I will show why each country’s citizens are not likely to flood each other.
Julian Rogers MBE is a veteran Caribbean broadcaster and journalist with over five decades of experience in radio, television, publishing, and media consultancy. He has played a pivotal role in shaping regional media, from launching national radio stations to hosting groundbreaking live broadcasts.
