The Tribune

DURING his maiden formal presentation as Minister of Education, Jeffrey Lloyd did not mince his words regarding his views on technical vocational education and training (TVET), saying that it serves as the core discipline in the efficiency of any society.

“Stop disrespecting technical and vocational education and training!” said Mr Lloyd to applause during the Bahamas Technical and Vocational Institute’s (BTVI) commencement exercise at the Melia Nassau Beach Resort on Friday.

“One ambition of mine is to help us raise the esteem that technical vocational education and training has in our society. There is genius in every vocation,” he said.

Mr Lloyd, who completed a certificate in carpentry at the institution, said he “has the utmost respect for BTVI”. He said any society would come to a halt without a copious cohort of technicians, adding that it is the intention of the government to “increase investment in TVET”.

BTVI’s New Providence campus graduated 210 students from various trades including Auto Mechanics, Carpentry, Electrical Installation, Fashion, Business Office Technology and Heating Ventilation and Air Conditioning (HVAC).

Mr Lloyd noted that as the economy further develops, the labour market is becoming ever more specialised. Therefore, there is an increased demand for employees with specific skills training.

“Many of you graduates will soon be called upon to fill some of these needs, and I am sure that your training at BTVI has provided you with confidence, expertise, and overall preparedness,” he said.

Additionally, Mr Lloyd added that it is the new government’s intention to increase investment in TVET in high schools in the near future.

“When that comes into existence, it is my hope that eventually, students entering BTVI would already possess enough of the basics in their technical areas from the high school and middle school, so by the time they come to BTVI, they come to master those skills,” he said.

BTVI President, Dr Robert W Robertson noted during his address that the institution is preparing the next generation of innovators.

“This falls in line with the thrust to bolster human capital outcomes. A skilled workforce supports economic growth and a better quality of life for our people. Hence, BTVI is key to providing skilled labour. Class of 2017, your skills are critical to the development of the Bahamian economy,” said Dr Robertson.

Fulbright scholar and entrepreneur, Dr James Dever, from Florida State University, lauded BTVI for experiential learning, which he said is the “purest form of education.”

Dr Dever encouraged the Class of 2017 to fine tune their skills by making learning a lifelong pursuit and to consider opening their own businesses.

“Set yourselves apart and please use your talents. You have proven you have the brains. Find your competitive edge, but never chase money. With success comes money,” he said.

The commencement ceremonies in New Providence and Grand Bahama were sponsored by Aliv, which recently entered into a three-year, $30,000 partnership with BTVI that will assist with the school’s commencement exercises into 2019.

The newest player in the telecommunications market in the Bahamas provided $10,000 for this month’s graduation exercises as well as Graduate of Excellence cash awards for the top students on both islands. The awardee for New Providence was Fashion student, Dellrene Thompson and in Grand Bahama, Office Assistant student, Katushka McIntosh. The Faculty Excellence Award went to Anthony Ramtulla.