June 28, 2013 Government working to diversify local economy By SIMON LEWIS Bahamas Information Services FREEPORT, G.B. - Graduates of the Bahamas Technical and Vocational Institute were assured Friday that the Government of The Bahamas, inclusive of the Ministry for Grand Bahama is working diligently to diversify the local economy and attract more foreign investment to the island. Stressing that point June 28 was Senator the Hon. Tanisha Tynes, as she addressed BTVI 30th Commencement Exercises, at the Grand Lucayan Resort. Filling in for the Minister for Grand Bahama, the Hon. Dr. Michael Darville, Senator Tynes said it was her privilege and pleasure to celebrate with the 33 graduates, who worked hard, made sacrifices and have actualised their goals. She extended congratulations to the administration, faculty and staff of BTVI, recognising the contributions BTVI has made to the development of technical and vocational work force on Grand Bahama. “As an institution, you continue to play an intricate role in training and the Government and the Ministry for Grand Bahama fully supports the direction the institution is heading in the future. I would also like to assure you that this administration, and by extension the Ministry for Grand Bahama, is playing a vital role in the growth and development of the economy of Grand Bahama. “As the theme for this commencement confirms that career education today enables a better tomorrow, I ask this institution’s assistance in developing programmes that will further prepare Grand Bahamians to play a more active role in the agriculture, industrial, tourism and manufacturing sectors of our economy, which will maximise the potential for economic development of this island,” she said. Continuing, she said the “the recent local unemployment statistics of 18 percent is a sobering reality for this administration but you can be assured that this administration is diligently working to diversify our economy, attract direct foreign investment to Grand Bahama and create entrepreneurial and employment opportunities for you and the other residents of this island.” She congratulated each of the graduates for determining to better themselves and for taking advantage of the opportunities to further their education at BTVI. “I am certain that the decision that each of you made to complete a tertiary level education will place you in a better position to capitalise on more lucrative employment opportunities. In closing, I wish to leave you with some thoughts from a portion of a poem by Steve Maraboli, a popular keynote speaker, author and a social observer, entitled, Dare to Be! When a new day begins, dare to smile gratefully. When there is darkness, dare to be the first to shine a light. When there is injustice, dare to be the first to condemn it. When something seems difficult, dare to do it anyway. When life seems to beat you down, dare to fight back. When there seems to be no hope, dare to find some. When you’re feeling tired, dare to keep going. When times are tough, dare to be tougher. When the day has ended, dare to feel as you’ve done your best. Dare to be the best you can – At all times, Dare to be!” Also addressing the gathering was Mr. Ross Smith, Deputy Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Education, Science and Technology. He told the graduates that as they look back on the tremendous personal sacrifices they have made to arrive at that point in their education that he hoped they do so with a sense of pride and achievement. Mr. Smith, who was representing Education Minister the Hon. Jerome Fitzgerald at the function, pointed out that as the 40th year of independence is celebrated, there must be an examination of the record of progress, as individuals and as a nation. “We must ask the question, how have we matured? Where do we go from here? I submit to you today, graduates, that you have matured much from your experience here at BTVI and you are further on your way to be known as model citizens in Grand Bahama and our nation. “Certainly, you can agree that you have derived personal and career benefits from pursuing your course of studies. Further, our country will also benefit because of your collective pursuits. Your decision to attend BTVI has led to self-improvement, education and skill attainment and an overall sense of greater optimism for the future,” he stated. He told graduates that they now have the viability for job promotion, job change or entrepreneurship. “You are a part of the highly skilled labour force and can decide where your training and skills can be utilised in a country that is in need of self-sufficient, contributing members of society. You are the entrepreneurial engineers who are building the bridge to the future while continuing the journey of empowerment,” the education official stated. Also he stressed that the Ministry of Education, Science and Technology are cognisant of the impact that an increased specialisation in technical and vocational education careers will have on the state of the economy in The Bahamas. Further, he stressed that the Government of The Bahamas is convinced that Applied Sciences is the fastest and most practical means of placing a large percentage of persons into the workforce. Additionally he said that the experts report that technical and vocational education and training is the route to take to secure economic growth for both developed and developing countries. “Consequently, with the appointment of the BTVI Board, greater autonomy and flexibility should allow the two primary functions of the Institute to be carried out. These being to: Provide for the dissemination of knowledge to equip students with practical, technical and vocational skills to prepare them for employment and foster entrepreneurship and Enter into public and private sector partnerships with employers, trade or commercial confederations and other societal stakeholders to develop courses of instruction at BTVI and the needs of the national economy.” He also told the Graduates that their enrolment at BTVI has equipped them to be participants in the transformation of Grand Bahama. “It confirms that Grand Bahamians want to support varied workforce development, training and future employment needs in their communities. It is also proof that you are willing to explore fields such as basic construction, land surveying, welding, road building, photography, electrical repair and installation, tiling, insect extermination, tailoring, upholstery, barbering, floral design and the like, to rapidly find your niche in a 21st century Bahamas,” he said. Also, he advised graduates that when companies like the Grand Bahama Shipyard, Vopak, Bahama Rock and the Bahamas Oil Refining Company are seeking employees, that their skills will be needed to sustain their operations. “These companies require highly skilled professionals that are residents of Grand Bahama to work in their labour force. Grand Bahamians must have the interest, the attitude and the capacity to fulfil the peculiar needs of Grand Bahama’s industrial sector,” he stated. -30-
Posted on: Mon, 01 Jul 2013 13:18:07 +0000
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