In 1990, the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) articulated a position on the development of Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) in the region.
Caribbean Community member states have long realized the importance of TVET in relation to workforce development and economic competitiveness and have made individual country-level efforts to establish their training systems.

The need for the coordination and rationalization of TVET and the move to establish a Caribbean Single Market and Economy (CSME) including proposals for the free movement of CERTIFIED skilled labour, have prompted National Training Agencies (NTAs) in the region to exploit the benefits of joint and concerted efforts by establishing among themselves The Caribbean Association of National Training Agencies (CANTA).