The Tribune

BY DENISE MAYCOCK

Tribune Freeport Reporter

dmaycock@tribunemedia.net

ST George’s High School hosted a local college-career fair recently to expose students to post-secondary opportunities available in the Bahamas.

About ten institutions were invited this year, including BAMSI, Bahamas Technical Vocational Institute (BTVI), LJM Maritime Academy, Bahamas Institute of Business and Technology (BIBT), Cyber Tech Career College and Terreve College. The uniformed branches, including Bahamas Customs and Immigration, the Royal Bahamas Police Force, and the Royal Bahamas Defense Force also participated.

The event was well attended by students from both public and private schools on the island, according to Principal Bronwen Smith.

The main goal of the event was to make students aware of the educational institutions, career paths, and potential job opportunities available locally to them upon graduation.

Ms Smith said: “We often think we have to go overseas, but there are lots of opportunities here in the Bahamas and in Grand Bahama that students can take advantage of.

“The event focused on the local colleges in Grand Bahama, Nassau, and Andros, as well as the uniformed organisations that came out in full force because they are always looking to recruit students.”

This year, students from Jack Hayward Senior High, Eight Mile Rock High, Hampton Academy, St Paul’s Methodist College, and Blaze Sports Academy attended the event, and many have already signed up and registered with some of the institutions.

The event was initially for the 12th graders, but 11th and 10th graders also attended and showed interest in the participating institutions.

Carlene Davis-Williams, school guidance counselor, noted that this year students received giveaways, fast food vouchers donated by the PTA, breakfast treats, a light lunch, and certificates of participation.

Jonathan McMinns, guidance counselor, said the local college career fair is important because it gives students a jump start in preparing for their future. He stated that some parents cannot afford to send their kids abroad, and oftentimes they will graduate without knowing what they are going to do. Therefore, attending the fair can help students to meet with local colleges and institutions, learn about what they offer, and establish a connection and a relationship that will give them an advantage in the future.

The guidance counselors hope to make the local college career fair a floating event by holding it at a different school each year.