The Tribune

By DENISE MAYCOCK

Tribune Freeport Reporter

dmaycock@tribunemedia.net

A veteran educator believes that more must be done to provide technical training to young people so they can take advantage of opportunities in Grand Bahama and The Bahamas.

Fred Delancey, founder of Ruthnell Technical Institute and co-chair of the West Grand Bahama Youth Development Association, said too many young people are being left to fend for themselves.

“We are just promising, but we need to invest millions to get thousands of young people off the streets and make them into more productive, responsible individuals,” he said.

“We know that earlier in the development in Grand Bahama there was a Bahamianization policy where young Bahamians were trained by industrial companies, such as Syntex, BORCO, Uniroyal, etc. But since then, it seems to be some kind of neglect. The past two generations have not had that kind of opportunity and we are leaving them to fend for themselves.

“There needs to be a technical education revolution where young people can receive the training they need, but we are only paying lip service to our young folks.”

The West Grand Bahama Youth Development Association and Ruthnell Technical Institute recently held a Youth Development Forum.

In attendance was Lindy Russell, co-chair of West Grand Bahama Youth Development Association. Attorney Pleasant Bridgewater, retired educator Cecil Thompson, Bishop Ricardo Grant and Michael Blanton were speakers. Several pastors, police officials and Urban Renewal representatives were also present.

Mr Delancey stated that a panel discussion was held, and a proposal will be presented to the Ministry of Education.

Ruthnell Technical plans to expand to the Family Islands, and is expected to open an institute in Cooper’s Town, Abaco, in a couple of weeks

According to Mr Delancey, their programme is recognized by National Accreditation and Equivalency Council (NAECOB), and they are now registered to offer 11 technical courses. In addition to in-person learning, they also offer online courses.

When she spoke, Ms Bridgewater said that young people sometimes miss out on opportunities because older Bahamians do not want to retire.

“A lot of the time we compete with our children; we don’t want to retire so our children don’t get the opportunity to get there and would have lost some opportunities. And so, we must think less of ourselves and more of our young people and country because they are the future,” she said.