Since the inception of the program on the island, about 330 skills certificates were issued, with a large percentage of those going to ‘non-nationals’. 

Information received from the Ministry of International Trade indicates that of those 330 certificates issued, a total of 106 went to locals, with St. Kitts accounting for 93 and Nevis 13.

Of the remaining 224 that were issued to ‘non-nationals’, Jamaica and Guyana accounted for the largest block of those skills certificates followed by Trinidad and Tobago.

The statistics shows, also, that 70 Jamaicans obtained certificates from the St Kitts and Nevis government over the period, with Guyana running a close second with 60 nationals receiving their document and Trinidad and Tobago with 25 persons gaining their skilled documentation.

Certificates were issued to citizens of Antigua and Barbuda, 12, Barbados, 12, Dominica, 16, Grenada, 10, St. Lucia, 7, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, 7, Belize, 4 and Montserrat, 1.

No national from Dutch-speaking Suriname has applied for the skilled certificate in St. Kitts and Nevis.

Additionally, when it comes to the individual categories of workers who obtained their CSME Skilled Certificate, university graduates topped the chart with a total number of 250 persons successfully gaining their documentations, while those with Associate degrees totaled 25.

The statistics also revealed that of the 14 media professionals who applied for their documents, all were foreign nationals.

Just recently, the Ministry of International Trade together with CARICOM’s CSME Unit held a series of workshops and consultations with stakeholders, including the media, to discuss changes to the CSME, educating the populace on the Single Market and Economy, its benefits and free movement throughout the region.

The CSME is a policy component derived from the Revised Treaty of Chaguaramas that allows CARICOM nationals to travel freely between member states, without hassle and be allowed entry to these islands for up to six months.