The Tribune

Life for Kristin Bethel has not been without its challenges. He grew up with no father in the home, and had a lot of built up frustration and unmanaged anger.

Back at Doris Johnson Senior High, his behaviour was less than desirable: cocky, stubborn and disrespectful with a nonchalant attitude to match. But what a difference maturity can make.

Today, you sit with this 21-year-old and he is clearly focused. He credits his turnaround to Apostle King David McPhee, whose family he lived with for 10 months.

“He did in those 10 months what my parents were trying to do in 20 years. He broke me, molded me and the person I am today, evolved over that period,” said the grateful young man, who is back home.

Meanwhile, Kristin knew from his days in school that he wanted to work in the information technology (IT) field. However, he admitted that what he learned there does not compare with his experience as an IT Management student at the Bahamas Technical and Vocational Institute (BTVI).

“At BTVI, you have to think on your feet and think quickly. Trouble shooting is major along with analyzing. There is a lot of trial and error. An instructor would say, ‘This is the code’ and we are challenged to experiment,” he said.

Associate Vice President of Academic Affairs, Leroy Sumner said technical vocational education and training (TVET) builds on students’ secondary school experience.

Learning

“What they receive at the secondary level is rudimentary. Here, at the tertiary level, our students are exposed to the reading of machines, literally pitching a roof or even making repairs to vehicles that were in accidents. It is not rote learning. It is applied. It is about what you can do, applying the knowledge,” said Mr. Sumner.

“Here, it is more problem solving. Critical thinking is required. Here, you are responsible for your own learning. You manage your own destiny,” he underscored.

Kristin has proven this to be true.

“There’s no ‘Take the notes off the board.’ I have to realize what the instructor is saying is new information that is valuable and take the initiative to write it down,” said Kristin, who often uses his mother’s laptop to programme.

“Paying for myself made me more responsible. It made me appreciate what my parents were trying to do from high school, but there’s no space to feel sorry for myself. I won’t beat myself up over the past. I now see the value in an education,” stated the 21-year-old.

Additionally, Kristin is presently a work study student in BTVI’s Technical Services department; it helps him pay for school and gain further experience.

He has also had the opportunity to work as an IT assistant at Baha Mar for six months in 2015 – an experience that took his interest to another level.

Ignited

“From setting up intermediate data frames to fibre patching and running uplinks, configuring switches etc., it was gas on the fire for me. It ignited. I loved it,” he exclaimed.

After being made redundant at Baha Mar, Kristin faced the unemployment line again. Although he had work experience, he quickly realized the importance of having qualifications as well.

According to a 2015 Pennsylvania Department of Education report, while entering the workforce immediately after high school remains a viable option for many (TVET) students, data suggests their lifetime earning potential increases if they were to obtain post-secondary education and training. I

n fact, the Center for Education and the Workforce at Georgetown University also projects that nearly two thirds of jobs created in the United States by the year 2018 will require some form of post-secondary education.

Kristin said he now sees the value of not only post-secondary education, but high school as a gateway to a smoother transition.

“My transition wasn’t easy, but I now value education and see my degree opening doors in the future,” he said.

“Gain An Edge” is a biweekly collaboration of the Lyford Cay Foundations, the Bahamas Technical and Vocational Institute and The University of The Bahamas aimed at promoting a national dialogue on higher education.