The John S. Donaldson Technical Institute is sited on approximately 2.63 hectares of land at Wrightson Road, Port of Spain, Trinidad, W.I. The reception area, main buildings, workshops and laboratories form a quadrangle within which there is a facility for parking.

On May 26, 1961, the cornerstone of the Institute was laid by the Nation’s first Prime Minister Dr. Eric Williams. It was named in honour of the late Minister of Education, Mr. John S. Donaldson, who piloted the original plans for the project. In December, 1962, the first course was launched in Business Management. The Institute at that time was administered by Dr. Fletcher and later by Mr. Arthur Bailey until August 11, 1963 when Mr. Norbert Masson (now Dr. Masson) was appointed the first Principal of the Institute.

The original intent of the Institute was to prepare students for employment, with preparation for higher institutions of learning being a secondary goal. This was seen as the means of fulfilling the manpower needs of the then newly independent nation. Preliminary objectives included self sufficiency, economic growth, alleviation of the unemployment problem through the application of Technology with accompanying skills, reduction of the dependence on other countries and generally improving the living conditions of the people of Trinidad and Tobago.

Within a very short period after the Institute’s inauguration, the following seven Departments were functional:. Business Education and Management, Distributive Education and Management, Land Surveying and Marine School, Electrical Engineering, Mechanical and Building Engineering, Home Economics and Industrial Management, and Graphics and Applied Arts.

While Technician Level programmes were the original intent of the Institute, the closure of the U.S. Government run Chaguaramas Trade School in July 1964 facilitated the introduction of Craft Level training in August 1965. Tools and machines from the Chaguaramas Trade School were then donated and transferred to the John S. Donaldson Technical Institute.

The seven (7) specialized craft areas introduced were:

• Electrical Installation ‘ Auto Vehicle Technology

• Machine Shop Practice ‘ Welding

• Woodworking ‘ Plumbing

• Masonry

Of the one hundred and forty students who were admitted to those courses, one hundred and twenty of them were selected on the basis of the results of an entrance examination in Basic Mathematics and English. The remaining twenty students came from an existing Technician level programme.

All Craft level students received training in occupational clusters for the first year which was considered the Diagnostic Year. Selection to a single specialized field was made at the end of the first year on the advice of lecturers. The next two (2) years were spent in the field of choice, culminating in a National Craftsman’s Certificate Examination.

Of the eight (8) undermentioned departments now in existence, all except the Technical Teacher Training Department offer both full-time and part-time courses.

• Applied Science and Home Economics

• Business Education and Management

• Electrical Engineering

• Graphic and Applied Arts

• Mechanical Engineering

• Surveying and Construction

• Telecommunication Engineering

• Technical Teacher Training

Our most recent initiative was the introduction of Short Course Programmes which provide training and retraining opportunities to members of the wider community and the business and industrial sectors. Many of those courses are specially adapted to address demands for skills in a variety of occupational areas. They are delivered in modules over a limited period, 35-40 contact hours spread over a 7-8 week period. Most of the candidates would not normally be able either to pursue a full length programme or qualify for entry.

The Institute is administered by a Principal, Vice Principal and eight (8) appointed Heads of Departments. Other key personnel include the Librarian, Bursar/Registrar and Placement Officer. There are sixty eight (68) full -time and one hundred and thirty six (136) part-time lecturers on staff. The teaching staff is very ably assisted by forty three (43) members of the ancillary Civil Service staff.

JOHN S. DONALDSON TECHNICAL INSTITUTE - TRINIDAD

FULL-TIME STUDENT ENROLMENT BY PROGRAMME

1996 - 1997