The Tribune

Grand Bahama Shipyard (GBS) has added another eight new graduates, bringing to 46 the number of young Bahamians who have passed its rigorous training programme.

Speaking to the 2013 graduates, Carl Rotkirch, GBS’s chairman and chief executive, said: “The company that you are graduating from probably has one of the most comprehensive programmes for tradesmen in industrial enterprises in the Bahamas.

“The programme comprises of four years of intense training, including academic studies in cooperation with BTVI, on-the-job training in the different trades and departments, leadership training and training in the general skills necessary for everyone working in an industrial environment.”

Mr Rotkich said he and his management team are actively promoting the professional development of their apprentices every day, seeking to post them in positions within the Shipyard according to their interests - such as planning, technical, estimating and sales.

Singled out at the ceremonies were four apprentices who were deemed to be exceptional students. Second year apprentice, Theo Pelacanos, most improved; third year apprentice, Antonnesia Moxey, managers award and Di’Sjorn Roberts, top graduate of the fourth year. Top honours went to Alankai Julien, a second year apprentice.

“Alankai has met and exceeded all goals and expectations at the yard,” said Mr Rotkrich. “She will be the first apprentice to bypass the four-year programme and will become a full-ime member of the GB Shipyard Sales and Marketing Department.”

Guest speaker at the graduation ceremony, Geneva Rutherford, director of community relations at the Grand Bahama Port Authority, said the four-year training programme currently accommodates 32 apprentices at a time.

She recognised Shaunley and Andrew Kemp, the first ever Bahamian estimators in the GBS sales and marketing department; Philip Duncombe, the only Bahamian non-destructive testing inspector; Rajiv Dames, promoted to a mechanical charge hand; and Gregory Saunders, promoted to a steel charge hand. Miles Wilkinson, a 2005 graduate, received a degree in Naval Architecture from Memorial University of Newfoundland, and has returned to work at the Shipyard as a naval architect.

GBS also welcomed the latest intake to its apprenticeship programme. “We are very excited tonight to welcome our newest recruits,” said Reuben Byrd, GBS vice-president. “These 10 young men and one lovely young lady have passed all the criteria to enter our demanding programme. We wish them all the best and hope to honour them four years from now with the same accolades of this year’s distinguished graduates.”