Two young females are breaking barriers in the vocational arena, having both studied and
secured carriers in the construction industry.
Lanique Brice and Santana Dean – 2018 graduates of the Bahamas Technical and Vocational
Institute (BTVI) – are employees of DTEC Plant Services LTD (DTEC). As a DCO Energy
subsidiary, the company is responsible for managing the maintenance and operations of the
chilled water plant and emergency backup generator that provides cooling of air conditioning
systems for the entire Baha Mar property.
In 2014, Lanique attended a seminar that DTEC held on BTVI’s campus and now holds the
position of Lead Operator at DTEC.
Not only has Lanique completed an Associate of Applied Science degree in Construction
Technology and a certificate in Electrical Instillation at BTVI, she is back at the institution
pursuing a third program – Heating Ventilation and Air-Conditioning (HVAC) which she is
expected to complete in the fall of this year. Lanique is a strong believer in the education BTVI
provides and appreciates that it fits her learning style.
“I’ve noticed that I'm a hands-on learner and BTVI allows me to use that ability to my
advantage. Even though I get theory in the process, I love the fact that I get to take things apart
and put them back together,” said Lanique.
Lanique has been employed with DTEC Plant Services for the past three years. Though there are
challenges, she loves her job and the fact that it allows her to wear many hats. Some days she is
an HVAC Technician, a Chemist, a Plumber, an Electrician, a Mechanical Engineer, a Diesel
Mechanic or a Project Manager – most of which are taught at BTVI. She hopes to one day
become the Vice President of Operations.
DTEC has been so impressed with the quality of students produced by BTVI, that they often
seek BTVI graduates for employment. The company recently hired 15 interns from BTVI
immediately after the completion of their internship at DTEC.
DTEC’s Vice President, Sandy Smith stated that the company learned that experience and
exposure to the industry were lacking and to change that, the company wanted to provide
additional exposure to students pursuing careers in the industry.
“Through BTVI’s job fair and the internship program, here we are with 15 interns that
demonstrated proficiency in subject knowledge, communication skills, propensity to learn and
enthusiasm to apply what they have learned at BTVI,” said Mr. Smith.
One of those interns was Electrical Installation graduate – now DTEC Maintenance Operator –
Santana Dean.
Santana has been employed with DTEC for the past nine months and enjoys every moment of it.
She loves that she gets to learn something new every day on the job and is thankful for the
instructors that taught her firm methods to adapt to any work environment.
Santana was awarded for being the most outstanding graduate in the Electrical Installation
program for 2018.
Meanwhile, BTVI Dean of Student Affairs, Racquel Bethel believes that the hiring of 15 interns
shows the strong confidence that industry has in the BTVI product.
“At BTVI, we train our students for direct entry into the workplace. Today's employers are
looking for candidates that are job ready. For this reason, we find that the majority of employers
seek out the BTVI student because they know that that student would have received practical
'real-world' experience and skill rather than mere textbook knowledge and limited exposure to
the real world,” said Ms. Bethel.
BTVI not only provides students with trade skills to get the job done, but they also instill soft
skills such as teamwork, communication, time management and work ethics. The institution
develops the skills of its students as well as their character.
BTVI President, Dr. Robert W. Robertson notes that more participation by women with technical
and vocational skills is increasing globally. In many cases this increased female participation in
the labor force helps bridge the skills gap and builds a stronger national economy.
Sandy Smith also expressed that DTEC continues to choose BTVI because their curriculum has
the basic ingredients that provides the technical education building blocks for varied skill sets
that are best suited for their industry.
DTEC has a staff of 25, all of whom have passed through BTVI’s classrooms. As long as there is
a vacancy, DTEC plans to continue hiring BTVI’s products.
Santana Dean (R) receiving the award for being the most outstanding graduate in the Electrical
Installation program for 2018.
Construction Technology & Electrical Installation graduate, Lanique Brice being congratulated
by Minister of Education, the Honorable Jeffrey Lloyd at BTVI’s 2018 Commencement Exercise.
Two young females are breaking barriers in the vocational arena, having both studied andsecured carriers in the construction industry.
Lanique Brice and Santana Dean – 2018 graduates of the Bahamas Technical and VocationalInstitute (BTVI) – are employees of DTEC Plant Services LTD (DTEC). As a DCO Energysubsidiary, the company is responsible for managing the maintenance and operations of thechilled water plant and emergency backup generator that provides cooling of air conditioningsystems for the entire Baha Mar property.
In 2014, Lanique attended a seminar that DTEC held on BTVI’s campus and now holds theposition of Lead Operator at DTEC.Not only has Lanique completed an Associate of Applied Science degree in ConstructionTechnology and a certificate in Electrical Instillation at BTVI, she is back at the institutionpursuing a third program – Heating Ventilation and Air-Conditioning (HVAC) which she isexpected to complete in the fall of this year. Lanique is a strong believer in the education BTVIprovides and appreciates that it fits her learning style.
“I’ve noticed that I'm a hands-on learner and BTVI allows me to use that ability to myadvantage. Even though I get theory in the process, I love the fact that I get to take things apartand put them back together,” said Lanique.
Lanique has been employed with DTEC Plant Services for the past three years. Though there arechallenges, she loves her job and the fact that it allows her to wear many hats. Some days she isan HVAC Technician, a Chemist, a Plumber, an Electrician, a Mechanical Engineer, a DieselMechanic or a Project Manager – most of which are taught at BTVI. She hopes to one daybecome the Vice President of Operations.
DTEC has been so impressed with the quality of students produced by BTVI, that they oftenseek BTVI graduates for employment. The company recently hired 15 interns from BTVIimmediately after the completion of their internship at DTEC.
DTEC’s Vice President, Sandy Smith stated that the company learned that experience andexposure to the industry were lacking and to change that, the company wanted to provideadditional exposure to students pursuing careers in the industry.
“Through BTVI’s job fair and the internship program, here we are with 15 interns thatdemonstrated proficiency in subject knowledge, communication skills, propensity to learn andenthusiasm to apply what they have learned at BTVI,” said Mr. Smith.
One of those interns was Electrical Installation graduate – now DTEC Maintenance Operator –Santana Dean.
Santana has been employed with DTEC for the past nine months and enjoys every moment of it.
She loves that she gets to learn something new every day on the job and is thankful for theinstructors that taught her firm methods to adapt to any work environment.
Santana was awarded for being the most outstanding graduate in the Electrical Installationprogram for 2018.Meanwhile, BTVI Dean of Student Affairs, Racquel Bethel believes that the hiring of 15 internsshows the strong confidence that industry has in the BTVI product.“At BTVI, we train our students for direct entry into the workplace. Today's employers arelooking for candidates that are job ready. For this reason, we find that the majority of employersseek out the BTVI student because they know that that student would have received practical'real-world' experience and skill rather than mere textbook knowledge and limited exposure tothe real world,” said Ms. Bethel.
BTVI not only provides students with trade skills to get the job done, but they also instill softskills such as teamwork, communication, time management and work ethics. The institutiondevelops the skills of its students as well as their character.BTVI President, Dr. Robert W. Robertson notes that more participation by women with technicaland vocational skills is increasing globally. In many cases this increased female participation inthe labor force helps bridge the skills gap and builds a stronger national economy.Sandy Smith also expressed that DTEC continues to choose BTVI because their curriculum hasthe basic ingredients that provides the technical education building blocks for varied skill setsthat are best suited for their industry.
DTEC has a staff of 25, all of whom have passed through BTVI’s classrooms. As long as there isa vacancy, DTEC plans to continue hiring BTVI’s products.
Santana Dean (R) receiving the award for being the most outstanding graduate in the ElectricalInstallation program for 2018.
Construction Technology & Electrical Installation graduate, Lanique Brice being congratulatedby Minister of Education, the Honorable Jeffrey Lloyd at BTVI’s 2018 Commencement Exercise.
