The Tribune

BY ANNELIA NIXON

TRIBUNE BUSINESS REPORTER

anixon@tribunemedia.net

THE BAHAMAS Telecommunications Company (BTC) announced the launch of its Next-Gen Mentorship Programme, a new pilot initiative designed to support succession planning and career development within the organisation. The programme pairs associates from across the company with experienced managers, creating opportunities for knowledge sharing, cross-training and peer-to-peer development.

Over the next six months, five mentor-mentee pairs will work closely together across four divisions. The pilot’s mentors — Kenisha Higgins of the Finance Team, Darleen Bartlett of the Retail Operations Team, Hulan Hanna of the Technology Team, and Tyronne Knowles of the B2B Team — will be responsible for guiding Associates matched within their respective divisions.

The mentees are Taryn Mullings of the Finance Team, Melissa Mackey of the Retail Operations Team, Alex Campbell of the Technology Team, Philip Curling of the Technology Team, and Nicole Thurston of the B2B Team.

“This programme is a reflection of BTC’s commitment to our people,” Patrice Thompson, Director of People said. “Investing in our team isn’t just about preparing for the future; it’s about building a culture where growth, knowledge sharing and mentorship happen every single day. What makes this launch even more special is that the idea came from one of our own Senior Associates, Cassandra Edwards. She brought the vision, and we moved quickly to turn it into reality. Watching these five pairings grow over the next six months is going to be one of the highlights of my year.”

Through the programme, mentees will gain firsthand exposure to various parts of the business, building skills and relationships that extend well beyond their day-to-day roles. The programme includes 12 leadership seminars, cross-departmental rotations, personalised LinkedIn Learning pathways, and one-on-one peer development between each pair. To close the programme, the group will work in teams to participate in an AI-driven hackathon designed to solve a business problem.

For the mentors, the experience has already proven to be a two-way exchange.

“Being a part of this pilot has been just as valuable for me as I hope it is for my mentee,” Kenisha Higgins, Finance Team mentor said. “It’s pushed me out of my usual routine, given me a reason to share everything I’ve learned along the way, and it’s changed how I see the business, through her eyes and not just mine.”

Retail Operations Manager Darleen Bartlett added: “The introduction of the Next-Gen Mentorship Programme is awesome. I was so excited when I was asked to be a part of the first cohort. This is yet another way that BTC is demonstrating its commitment to investing in the next cohort of managers and leaders in the company. This will be a two-way learning experience. I am learning from my mentee, and I hope that she is learning from me.”

Lowell Burrows, Technology Team mentor said: “My mentee, Philip Curling, is an incredibly talented young man. He is positive, driven, and I think he will be a viable candidate for leadership in the future. My objective is to stretch him, challenge him and help him get closer to the career he is building toward.”

The mentees, too, are already feeling the impact of the programme.

“Having someone in my corner who’s already walked the path I’m on makes all the difference,” Taryn Mullings, Finance Associate said. “I’m learning things I wouldn’t get from a training manual — how to think bigger, ask better questions, and see where my career could go within BTC.”

BTC will evaluate the outcomes of the pilot with an eye toward expanding the mentorship programme to additional teams across the company.