The Tribune

By RASHAD ROLLE

THE second phase of a programme is set to begin designed to produce Bahamian technicians who are equipped with internationally recognised skills needed in the elevator industry.

The first phase of the project was a seminar on elevator safety which took place at the Bahamas Technical & Vocational Institute (BTVI) earlier this month.

There, lecturers on elevator safety from around the world told engineers and other participants about how seriously elevator safety must be taken.

Richard Tighe, manager of the Bahamas Elevator Systems (BES), told The Tribune yesterday that during the second phase of the project, to start in August, people will be selected to participate in the training program when it begins in earnest in 2014. “The pre-qualifying process begins in August,” he said: “BTVI, the Minister of Education, representatives from the Bahamas Hotel Association and the Minister of Tourism are all very involved in this process. Most of the potential students who will participate in the programme wouldn’t have had experience working in the elevator industry. Some will participate in courses at BTVI designed to ensure that they meet certain education requirements needed to then participate in the training program.”

The international safety and elevator training programme is important because the country needs Bahamians who are internationally certified as elevator technicians, he said.

“The safety aspect of the elevator industry which has been ignored will be looked after by Bahamians rather than by foreigners who currently control the issue.

“BahaMar has a $30m elevator package with 80 elevators and no Bahamians will be involved. But because of this training program, where future projects down the road are concerned we wouldn’t have to issue any work permits but could use the expertise of Bahamians.”

The programme, he said, is for everybody and there will be 20-25 qualified students who will be offered courses and then start an apprenticeship programme where they will be getting paid $50-60 to learn the practical aspect of the profession.

He said: “The average technician in the Bahamas earns about $15 dollars an hour. The average technician internationally earns $50.

“Those coming out of this programme will be able to go anywhere in the world to make money.”