Minister of Labour, Senator the Hon. Dion Foulkes applauded the National Training Agency (NTA) for efforts that yielded a group of graduates, 30 percent of whom by completion of their studies had already gained employment, and 45 percent were being considered for employment.
At the ceremonies at NTA on Thursday evening, January 25, 2018, the Minister said special thanks were to NTA for facilitating the first ever cruise line workforce recruitment exercise with Royal Caribbean Cruise Line that hired 120 Bahamians and has plans to hire 200 Bahamians annually.
Minister Foulkes also anticipated NTA Family Island expansion in the near future.
A total of 215 students of "Cohort 8" graduated from NTA (National Training Agency) and received their certificates, pins and awards. Four weeks of "soft skills" training followed by 10 weeks of technical skills training (14 weeks total) produced certified individuals in Hospitality, Allied Health, Auto Body, Office Procedures, Microsoft Office/Quickbooks, Customer Service, Retail Business Skills, and Teacher's Aide.
Special Award recipients were: Janet Darling, Menelik Darling, Willisha Penn, Livingston Munroe, Brennika Coleby, Micquelle Rolle, D'Angeria Taylor, Ebonee Turnquest, Kyle Scriven, Dymond Moss, and Niketra Rolle.
Cohort 8 recipient of the esteemed ‘Executive Director's Award’ was Steffon Miller. He began his speech by quoting Malcolm X, saying: "The future belongs to those who prepare today". He reflected on his experiences at the NTA while highlighting that his favourite memory was a teamwork exercise. Steffon extended special congratulations to his classmates who were trained in Microsoft Office 2013 and all passed the national examination. Mr. Miller also gave special thanks to his teacher, Mrs. Bethel and ended with a reminder that "Together we can make a difference... put God first."
Minister Foulkes congratulated students who completed "competency based training where they gained employments skills that the country needs for a globally competitive work force." The Minister also highlighted the six hearing-impaired students among the graduates. He undertook to ensure that NTA is open and accessible to all Bahamians, just like it was to these graduates, free of charge.
Executive Director of NTA Gadville McDonald said to the graduates, "You have done it. Tonight, you make us proud." He also shared a personal perspective: "We all can grow, and grow we must. You all have grown." He ended by assuring the graduates that NTA will be contacting them to applaud them along their journey and inform them of further training programs.
Students, parents, instructors, and officials in attendance. Minister of Labour, Senator the Hon. Dion Foulkes is shown presenting training certificate to Steffon Miller, who was also the recipient of the ‘Executive Director’s Award.’ NTA Executive Director Gadville McDonald is at left. (BIS Photos/Raymond A. Bethel, Sr.)
By Sydnei L. Isaacs
