The Tribune

By FAY SIMMONS

Tribune Education Reporter

jsimmons@tribunemedia.net

A GROUP of 15 Bahamian high school students spent the past two weeks stepping into the professional world, shadowing specialists, building workplace skills and exploring careers in sustainable development through the Inter-American Development Bank's inaugural Teen Summer Program.

The students, nominated by public and private schools across New Providence, spent two weeks at the IDB Bahamas Country Office participating in professional development activities aimed at preparing them for future careers while broadening their understanding of sustainable development and nation-building.

The program, which ran from July 13 to 24, concluded with student capstone presentations, a certificate ceremony and a celebration attended by parents and IDB officials.

Selected through a competitive process that included school nominations and essay submissions, the participants were chosen based on their leadership potential, positive attitude and demonstrated interest in national development. Several of the students came from communities where opportunities for professional mentorship and workplace exposure are limited.

Throughout the program, students learned about climate change, health, transport, economics, energy, water and sanitation, disaster risk management, entrepreneurship and private sector development while interacting directly with specialists working in those fields.

They also participated in mock interviews, workplace readiness sessions, leadership exercises and team-building activities before presenting projects they developed during the program.

IDB Group Country Representative for The Bahamas Shirley Gayle said the initiative reflects the organization's commitment to investing in the country's young people.

"Every young person in this country deserves the chance to see what is possible for their future," said Ms Gayle.

"When we invest in our young students – when we give them the chance to sit across from an investment specialist, to learn what a budget really means for their family, or to stand up and present their ideas to a room full of professionals – we are not just changing their experience: We are changing their view of what they believe they are capable of. That is the most powerful investment the IDB can make."

The curriculum was built around seven core pillars, introducing students to the IDB's work in The Bahamas while providing training in workplace ethics, communication, digital citizenship and interview preparation.

Participants also completed a financial literacy component covering budgeting, saving, banking, responsible credit use and protecting themselves against financial scams.

As part of the program's community service element, the students spent a day volunteering with the Bahamas National Trust, where they learned about environmental conservation and planted a yellow elder tree to commemorate the inaugural program.

The students also met with representatives from government agencies, private organizations and civil society organizations, who shared information on scholarship opportunities, internships and career pathways available both in The Bahamas and abroad.

The IDB said the Teen Summer Program forms part of its broader commitment to inclusive human capital development, with the goal of equipping young Bahamians with the knowledge, confidence and professional networks needed to help shape the country's future.