Dr. Patrice Searles

Dr. Patrice Parris Searles currently serves as the Director of Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) for the Education Project at the Millennium Challenge Account–Belize (MCA-Belize). In this role, she provides strategic leadership for initiatives that strengthen Belize's technical and vocational education and training system, supporting workforce development, institutional capacity building, and the delivery of high-quality, industry-responsive TVET programs. She works closely with the Government of Belize, the Ministry of Education, the Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC), and other stakeholders to advance reforms that prepare Belizeans with the knowledge and skills needed to meet the evolving demands of the labor market.

An accomplished leader and scholar with more than 27 years of experience in workforce development, technical and vocational education and training (TVET), public policy, and education management, Dr. Parris Searles holds a PhD in Sociology from The University of the West Indies. Her expertise spans strategic planning, policy formulation, quality assurance, programme management, labour market intelligence, curriculum development, and institutional strengthening, with a career dedicated to advancing education and workforce systems across Trinidad and Tobago and the wider Caribbean.

Prior to joining MCA-Belize, Dr. Parris Searles served as Chief Executive Officer of the National Training Agency (NTA) of Trinidad and Tobago, where she led the coordination and regulation of the national quality assurance and apprenticeship frameworks for TVET. Her leadership was instrumental in shaping national TVET policies, strengthening institutional capacity, and promoting workforce readiness through evidence-based planning, strategic partnerships, and collaborative engagement with government, industry, and education stakeholders.

Beyond her executive leadership, Dr. Parris Searles has made significant contributions to regional education and workforce development through service as Vice Chairman of the Caribbean Association of National Training Authorities (CANTA), Co-Chair of the Steering Committee for Trinidad and Tobago's National Qualifications Framework, and Head of the UNESCO-UNEVOC Centre at the National Training Agency. She has collaborated with organizations including UNESCO-UNEVOC, the International Labour Organization (ILO), the Commonwealth of Learning, and the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB), while also serving as a lecturer at The University of the West Indies and UWI-ROYTEC. Her research, publications, and presentations have contributed to regional dialogue on technical education, innovation, workforce development, and youth empowerment.

A dedicated advocate for quality technical and vocational education, lifelong learning, and workforce development, Dr. Parris Searles continues to support the advancement of Belize's education sector through collaborative partnerships, innovative leadership, and evidence-based approaches that strengthen human capital and prepare learners for future opportunities.