National Training Agency Executive Director Agatha Marcelle, left, presents the Star Award and the Executive Director Award to boating and safety maintenance graduate Travina Thompson, right, for her outstanding performance in her program during the agency's recent cohort six gratuation ceremony. (Photos: Bianca Bethel-Sawyer)

Travina Thompson was living a partying lifestyle without focusing on the goals she had set for herself. At 16, she barely graduated from C.V. Bethel High School.

"Right after I graduated high school I got a job with the hopes of maybe one day going to college, but I got very distracted living life," said Thompson. "After being sick and tired of just being sick and tired of the partying lifestyle, I decided to make a difference."

She heard about the National Training Agency (NTA) through a friend who graduated from the agency's fifth cohort and suggested she check it out.

Thompson, 26, a boating and safety maintenance graduate, was among the 242 graduates of the NTA's sixth cohort.

The road for Thompson has not been without challenges. She knows what it is like to recover from two broken wrists. She knows what it is like to work while still a high school student to support her family, and to deal with the death of a parent before she had even left her teenage years behind, at age 19.

Nevertheless, she was able to refocus and do something with her life. She originally registered for the NTA's allied health program before switching over to the boating and safety maintenance program.

"That was actually my second choice, because growing up I loved the water," she said. "The agency taught me that once you believe, you can achieve. It enlightened me on what an employer wants from employees."

Thompson, who loves music, says the agency transformed her by giving her a second chance.

"The NTA staff and my boating and safety maintenance instructor did not give up on me. They all encouraged me and believed in me and gave me another chance. I would recommend the NTA to anyone who needs a second chance in life. I wouldn't have made it without the NTA," she said.

The NTA assists underprivileged Bahamian youths by helping them to learn a marketable skill to find a job.

"It gives you hands-on experience. From the beginning, you are taught how to dress, present your resume and how to have a good attitude on any job," said Thompson. "Plus, during skills training you get the hands-on, real world training needed to succeed in your chosen program."

Additionally, because of the NTA, Thompson has been afforded opportunities she otherwise may have never received. During her graduation ceremony, she received a Star Award for outstanding performance, as well as the Executive Director Award, the highest award any trainee can achieve.

As a result of winning both awards, Thompson was awarded a full scholarship to Synergy Bahamas to further her training in the course of her choice and a partial scholarship from her program training provider, Gadites Maritime Technical Institute for a first aid and boat captain's license course.

"Only by the divine favor of God I received those awards and scholarships. I cannot go back to my old life. I plan to take advantage of both scholarships very soon before I secure a job."

In its third year, the agency offers free 14-week programs that are designed to enhance workplace readiness skills for Bahamians ages 16 to 26 who want to increase their employability and gain real world job training skills.

"The NTA gave me much more than real world job training and a certificate. It gave me hope and future," said Thompson.

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