105 Graduates from National Training Agency in Grand Bahama

Tue, Nov 24th 2015, 04:50 PM

One hundred and five trainees of the National Training Agency's Grand Bahama 2nd and 3rd Cohorts graduated on Monday evening during a ceremony at the Foster B. Pestaina Centre, following a 14-week job preparation course.

On hand for the ceremony was Minister of Labour and National Insurance, the Hon. D. Shane Gibson, along with Mrs. Elizabeth Keju, Chairman of the National Training Agency; and Ms. Agatha Marcelle, Executive Director of the National Training Agency.

Minister Gibson said the Ministry of Labour and National Insurance opened the National Training Agency office in Grand Bahama in 2014. "The intent was to develop programmes that would facilitate the decrease of the high rate of unemployment among youth and provide a safety net for those who may have fallen through the academic cracks of formal education and were unable to achieve sustainable certification."

The NTA currently offers courses in New Providence, Exuma, Eleuthera and Grand Bahama.

The first graduating class comprised 135 young people. The second and third cohort groups consisted of 105 trainees who were congratulated by the Minister. He said, "No doubt you must have been focused and put in some hard work to meet the standards required by the NTA. I can assure you that this is only the beginning for you and if you continue to apply yourselves and work hard you will continue to be successful. Always remember, success is not a matter of luck, it is the result of hard work and commitment.

"I know that the 14-week training period has probably been one of sacrifice. Perhaps, it has also been a period of cognitive challenge wherein you had to grasp the knowledge imparted to you and convert what you learned into actionable tasks. So after successful completion of your training, you deserve our congratulations for your achievements. We hope that this programme has opened, or will open, new and promising doors for you."

The National Training Agency has been able to place 87 graduates. Thirty-five graduates have secured full or part-time employment and since the launch in Grand Bahama, 50 trainees have been employed.

Minister Gibson added, "Graduates, I encourage you to continue your journey, so that you will be able to take advantage of any available employment opportunities as well as to take up your rightful roles as leaders in your community. I urge you to take advantage of every opportunity the National Training Agency provides. As our economy grows and expands, a skilled and productive workforce will be needed to ensure that success is sustainable.

"This is only your first step. Do not consider the awards and certificates you receive tonight the be all and end all. I would like to encourage you to leave here with more than the hope of just getting a job, if you don’t have one already. Instead, continue to develop and enhance the skills you have received and seriously consider how you will work your skills so that you can begin to build meaningful careers."

The coordinator in Grand Bahama is Ms. Carmeta Miller, and the office manager is Norma Pyfrom. They were congratulated and thanked for their efforts, along with those businesses on island that have assisted with training, namely: Bahama Rock; Freeport Container Port, Freeport Harbor Company, Grand Bahama Airport Company Limited, Grand Bahama Port Authority Limited, Grand Bahama Shipyard Limited, Grand Lucayan, ZNS Radio Station, Quality Auto Services and Innovative Designs.

By: Robyn Adderley | BIS


ADDRESSING THE GRADUATES - Minister of Labour and National Insurance, with responsibility for the National Training Agency, the Hon. Shane Gibson, was in Grand Bahama on Monday evening for the graduation exercise for the 2nd and 3rd Cohorts. Minister Gibson is seen at the Foster B. Pestaina Centre, where the graduation was held, addressing the graduates. (BIS Photo/Andrew Miller)


NATIONAL TRAINING AGENCY STARS - Of the 105 graduates of the National Training Agency's Grand Bahama 2nd and 3rd Cohorts, there were a few young people who stood out during their training. They were described as stars of their group. Shown from left are: Chelsea Wong; Agatha Marcelle, Executive Director, National Training Agency; Charnell Johnson; Colyn Symonette; the Hon. D. Shane Gibson, Minister of Labour and National Insurance, with responsibility for the National Training Agency; Mrs. Elizabeth Keju, Chairman, National Training Agency; Stephanas Smith; and Sanjit Dasgupta.  (BIS Photo/Andrew Miller)


GRADUATION CEREMONY - The National Training Agency, which falls under the Minister of Labour and National Insurance, the Hon. D. Shane Gibson, held its graduation ceremony on Monday evening at the Foster B. Pestaina Centre for 105 graduates. Shown is Minister Gibson, along with chairman of the National Training Agency, Mrs. Elizabeth Keju during the ceremony.  (BIS Photo/Andrew Miller)

 Sponsored Ads