The Tribune

BAHA Mar made good on its commitment to training young Bahamians by doubling the enrolment of its Leadership Development Institute (LDI) to welcome 395 students - six of which have intellectual and developmental disorders (IDD).

In May, 150 students graduated from LDI’s first class. The session of LDI saw enrolment increase to 162 students. Since the programme was first announced, LDI has received strong community support and has been highly lauded as a programme that is improving our community because it is providing many young people an opportunity to change their course in life.

“Baha Mar is a transformative project that is making a real difference in The Bahamas,” said Baha Mar’s Chief Operating Officer Paul Pusateri. “This unprecedented programme is touching lives and making it possible to provide chances for a career in hospitality that may have otherwise been out of reach. There is nothing else like this in the Bahamas.

“This will be the best day of the rest of your life,” Mr Pusateri, who welcomed the students during a special orientation session, added.

Through a partnership with Best Buddies International, LDI is also allowing people with learning disorders the same chance to succeed as other employees. Each IDD student has been paired with a ‘student buddy’ in LDI for the duration of the 16-week session.

During classes, LDI students will learn functional and technical skills, service skills, leadership training and life skills, part of LDI’s overall vision to create opportunities for all Bahamians, including those with unrealised potential.

At the orientation, the students were encouraged to not only exceed the expectations of others, but also to exceed their own expectations.

All students in the programme will be held to the same standards, according to LDI Executive Director Jeffrey Lloyd.

“Lateness and missed days will not be tolerated,” he said. “Bahamians can do it if given an opportunity. We believe that you can do it.”

A proud parent described the opportunity as an amazing way to introduce young people to the hospitality industry.

“This evening is the beginning of their journey, one step at a time. You’re not going to become a hotelier overnight, but as Confucius says, the journey of a thousand miles begins with one step.”

LDI student Joanne Gibson expressed excitement about entering the programme.

“I don’t just want to work with the company; I want to grow with them because I know it will be a success,” she said. “It’ll be a wonderful, once in a lifetime experience.”