The Tribune

FOR the first time in 30 years, The Bahamas Technical and Vocational Institute will operate under a board of directors.

Jerome Fitzgerald, Minister of Education, made the official announcement during a meeting at the institution on Wednesday.

The board members who represent a cross-section of the society are: Chairman, Felix Stubbs; Deputy Chairman, Peter Whitehead; Rubie Nottage, Cadwell Pratt, Kevin Basden, Thelma Grimes, Godfrey Forbes, Sabrina Francis and Henry Storr.

Fitzgerald described the move as a “big leap forward for education” in The Bahamas particularly through technical and vocational education.

He said the students will be supported by visionary and successful leaders who will work with the management of BTVI to map out a progressive future for the institution.

“BTVI continues to make tremendous strides in enabling the government to fulfil its mandate to foster, capture and direct the talents of every child and adult in the Commonwealth of The Bahamas,” he said.

Stubbs said the board’s tasks include raising the profile of the institution to ensure students who graduate from BTVI get opportunities they deserve to display their skills and use their collective skills to assist management with ensuring that every student receives opportunities to enhance and put their skills to use.

The minister said BTVI would essentially operate as a semi-autonomous institution with its own budget.

He added: “From a national standpoint there are many jobs available for skilled labour in this country.

“We want to be in a position where we can begin to limit the number of labour certificates and work permits we give for jobs and we know Bahamians should be qualified for jobs.

“BTVI plays an important role in that aspect and ensuring people are qualified and letting them know there are honest jobs out there which pay extremely well.”

The school’s enrolment has increased by more than 25 percent in recent years.