The Tribune

The Securities Commission of the Bahamas has selected Jarod Fowler as the first recipient of the Timothy B. Donaldson Apprenticeship Programme, which includes a four-year scholarship to the College of the Bahamas (CO) and simultaneous job training with the regulator.

As the recipient of the new Apprenticeship Programme, named in honour of the Commission’s late first chairman, Mr Fowler will receive a salary and health insurance benefits for his work at the regulator, and will be covered for four years of tuition and fees, books and other related costs at COB.

The Commission’s chairman, Tonya Bastian-Galanis, said: “This Apprenticeship Programme allows the Commission to make a positive contribution to the local community and to the development of a highly skilled workforce in the financial services sector.”

Under the programme, Mr Fowler will work at the Commission part-time during the school year, and full-time during breaks. He will receive training in each department of the Commission on a rotational basis during the four years of study, with the possibility of being offered permanent employment with the regulator.

Mr Fowler, a graduate of C. V. Bethel High School, is pursuing a Bachelors of Business Administration, with a focus in Accounting, at COB.

“This is a great opportunity,” Mr Fowler said. “The scholarship alone is amazing, but I will also have the opportunity for practical, on-the-job training. I know there were a lot of good candidates, so I am really pleased for this opportunity. It represents a chance to apply what I will be learning in College and really get an edge in furthering my career.

“I feel very privileged to be given this honour, named after such a powerhouse of a man. Mr Donaldson’s professional track record makes him the ideal role model for someone like me, with an interest in finance.”

Mr Donaldson was a trailblazer in the financial services industry and renowned for, among many notable traits and accomplishments, his commitment to the development of young Bahamians. His widow, Yolande Donaldson, said her family was humbled and honoured that the Commission chose to name the programme in his honour.

“It is truly an honour that speaks to him, because education was always so important to him. I cannot think of anything else more befitting,” Mrs Donaldson said.

“I would like to extend my congratulations and best wishes to Jarod. He should strive to continue to do his best to make his parents and his country proud. I know that is what my husband would have wanted.”

The selection of the apprentice was a four-stage process consisting of a pre-screening/application review, internal interviews, semi-final interviews, and a Blue Ribbon Panel review of all submitted applications and recommendations.

The panel featured persons recognised in the financial services industry for their contributions to its growth and development, namely: Marko Chea, deputy manager, exchange control, Central Bank of the Bahamas; Kim Bodie, executive director of the Bahamas Institute of Financial Services; and Robin Scavella, director of compliance and legal services, Scotiabank (Bahamas) and a member of the Commission’s Board. The independent panel had the final determination of the winner.

To meet the requirements for eligibility, candidates had to: be Bahamian, have a minimum high school GPA of 3.00, be a Grade 12 graduate with a High School Diploma, and be accepted into the College’s bachelor’s degree programme within an area of study aligned with the Commission’s needs, including accounting, finance, and economics.