As of the new academic year, the Patrick Bethel and S. C. Bootle High Schools in Abaco will be outfitted with four trade and computer labs costing approximately $100,000, which will be at the standard of the National Center for Construction Education and Research (NCCER).

This move is a partnership with the Bahamas Technical and Vocational Institute (BTVI) by way of the government and was recently announced by a team of BTVI officials during a press conference in Abaco. The trade labs will be used for several disciplines including carpentry, plumbing, electrical, drywall and masonry classes.

BTVI will work with the two high schools to advance a dual enrollment program, which will afford technical training options to students, making them job-ready after graduation.

“We have these laboratory components in our warehouse in Nassau, so when Patrick Bethel opens in September, that campus will be fully equipped, state of the art, wired and smart. The same facilities we will be putting in these two high schools will be available for adults to receive the same certifications in the evenings and Saturdays, so the opportunity is here,” said BTVI’s Chief Financial Officer, Andrew Gape.

Before Hurricane Dorian in September 2019 and the destruction left in its wake, BTVI had a presence at the Patrick Bethel High School. Both Dorian and covid19 have accelerated BTVI’s response to expand into the high schools in Abaco. BTVI has since established a partnership with the NCCER through Valencia College in Florida, which paves the way for Abaconians to receive NCCER certifications. The courses are flexible, short and stackable.

Meanwhile, the NCCER is an internationally recognized accrediting body that has designed standardized training and credentialing programs for more than 70 craft areas. The core program includes 80 contact hours of training in the fundamentals of construction site safety, construction math, construction power tools, construction hand tools, communication skills, employability skills, construction drawing and material handling. Rigging is an option.

BTVI’s Dean of Construction and Workforce Development, Alexander Darville, said BTVI’s thrust is to utilize the training to help close the country’s skills gap.

“The world is crying for tradesmen and women. Today, there is only one electrician in Cat Island. To find an electrician in Harbour Island, we actually have to import them from New Providence. This is an opportunity to think about getting in the trades if you want to make a lucrative living. There is major demand for the trades. Our aim is to get NCCER throughout the country. We have our eyesight on all Abaco and the surrounding cays,” he said.

The accelerated training has the full financial backing of the government and was started in Grand Bahama in summer 2020.

The visit of BTVI officials to Abaco presented the opportunity to reconnect with the residents and to recruit. Besides holding the press conference, BTVI and Ministry of Education officials also held two town hall meetings. More than 300 attended the sessions including more than 100 residents who immediately signed up for the free NCCER core training.

Also represented at the meetings were BTVI’s Dean of Information Technology and Distance Education, Anthony Ramtulla; the Northern Campus, Recruitment Officer, Sherlock Prince and Head of Department for Construction and Mechanical trades, Kenton Roker.

The Ministry of Education’s Abaco District Superintendent, Dominique Russell, expressed how excited ministry officials are to partner with BTVI.

“For our children, we don’t want them to only gain real world experience, but to develop the skills to be able to function, take care of themselves and contribute to the progress of our national development…we are looking at Abaco from a holistic perspective. You don’t just want to have the experience or skills; you want that certification that actually gets you the job,” said Ms. Russell.

Although only able to attend the meetings virtually, BTVI President, Dr. Robert W. Robertson, described this as a golden opportunity for Abaco.

“The people of Abaco have endured much because of Hurricane Dorian and then six months later with covid19. We are confident that they will take advantage of this free opportunity to either learn something new or enhance what they already know. Further, certification is a plus.

Today’s employer values certifications. Certifications set you apart and speak to technical competency,” said Dr. Robertson.