The Tribune

By ROBYN ADDERLEY

Bahamas Information Services

MORE than 100 members of the Technical Cadet Corps Programme were inducted during a ceremony at the Bahamas Union of Teachers Hall on Thursday in Grand Bahama.

Harcourt Brown, acting permanent secretary in the Office of the Prime Minister, challenged the high school students to take the knowledge and experience they will gain through the programme and propel themselves into the direction the technical and vocational field is heading.

He spoke on behalf of minister of state in the Office of the Prime Minister, Senator Kwasi Thompson, who was unable to attend the event.

Stating that a tech summit will be held in Freeport on November 9 and 10, Mr Brown added technology leaders from all of the major companies will be present, asking if the inductees are ready for this move, as innovation and education will be key.

The first in a series of business-to-business expos was held on Thursday morning, when businesses from the industrial sector shared the businesses and services they are in need of, and Mr Brown urged the inductees to be prepared for the upcoming opportunities.

"The TCC Programme is that readiness platform for you to participate and benefit from the technical and vocational sectors. Especially in this trying economy, we can no longer afford to simply send out resumes and wait for a job. Instead, we ought to find innovative ways to maximise our skills.

"One of our primary goals for Grand Bahama is driving this economy to become one driven by entrepreneurship and self-efficacy."

With the establishment of a Small Business Development Centre, support and guidance will be available to ensure success for entrepreneurs.

"Entrepreneurship is the key to an upward turn in our economy, and I assure you that we stand with you to make this possible," Mr Brown said.