The Bahamas Technical and Vocational Institute (BTVI) recently received a generous donation of 19 cases of safety goggles and 49 cases of vinyl hoses from Marlin Marine.

The goggles have already been distributed to the institution’s Auto Mechanics classes and are being used by students. The vinyl hoses will be used in BTVI’s Heating Ventilation and Air Conditioning classes as well as for the maintenance of the campus. Donations will also be sent to the Grand Bahama campus.

Marlin Marine’s Inventory Manager, Dervin Weech, expressed why it was important to donate these items to BTVI to help those who want quality education, but lack the resources to obtain it.

“We narrowed down our search to who would be best suited for the items. I attended BTVI at one point and I know one of the required tools were safety goggles. So we saw BTVI as the best fit for the upcoming entrepreneurs and business persons who are coming out of high school who don’t have the funding but want to get an education,” said Mr. Weech.

BTVI Auto Mechanics student, Glendale Simon, is also an employee of Marlin Marine who actually received one of the donated safety goggles while in class. Glendale credits BTVI for equipping him with the necessary skills to perform efficiently at Marlin Marine.

Mr. Weech commended Glendale for his technical abilities and after discovering Glendale is also a BTVI student, now understands where he learnt it.

BTVI’s Associate Vice President of Fund Development, Alicia Thompson, thanked the company for its donation and expressed how timely it is as BTVI aims to rebuild its Grand Bahama and Abaco campuses following the devastation of hurricane Dorian.

Left to Right: Marlin Marine’s Inventory Manager, Dervin Weech; Marlin Marine’s Technician and BTVI Auto Mechanics student, Glendale Simon; BTVI’s Associate Vice President of Fund Development, Alicia Thompson; Marlin Marine’s General Manager, Loran Pyfrom and BTVI’s Professional Development Courses Coordinator, Paulette Richardson.

Photo: Shantique Longley