Minister of Youth, Sports and Culture, the Hon. Mario Bowleg told Fresh Start graduates that as Grand Bahama’s economy rebounds, they are in key position to take full advantage of the opportunities that are coming.

As the keynote speaker for the 2022 graduation, which was held on Thursday, June 9, 2022 at the Grand Lucayan Ballroom, Minister Bowleg told the 49 graduates that their achievement in completing the program and obtaining various certifications will result in full employment and readiness for the workplace.

“Our government remains committed to ensuring that access and opportunities are made available through the length and breadth of our country,” added Minister Bowleg. “The Fresh Start Program is an example of what our youth can achieve when given opportunities such as this.

“Allow me to express my sincere thanks to all of the stakeholders for your partnership with this program. The staff at BTVI must be commended for the vital role they’ve played in the facilitation of the Fresh Start Program.

“I also commend all of our intern partners for accepting the Fresh Start students in the work place and helping to mentor and mold them, as they showcased their skills. It truly takes a village to raise our youth.”

Impressed with what he saw and heard at the Fresh Start graduation, in terms of the testimonies of some of the participants on how the program has changed their lives and given them a new hope, Minister Bowleg said he’s proud of the funds the Government has invested in the program.

“You know we’re presently in the budget debate, so I may have to look at putting much more money into the Fresh Start Program,” Minister Bowleg quipped. Dissecting the name of the program, the Youth Minister pointed out that if one were to conduct a Google search on the definition of a “fresh start”, they would be presented with a multitude of definitions, including “a fresh start is a new day, with fresh energy and fresh opportunities”.

However, he noted that the McMillian dictionary further defines a fresh start as ‘a complete change in your way of life or in the way you do things, especially after you have previously been unsuccessful”. Minister Bowleg said while all of these definitions do possess some elements of truth, he believes an unknown author said it best when he said ‘a fresh start isn’t a new place, but it’s a new mindset.

“Four months ago, my Ministry came with a fresh start energy and a fresh opportunity for our youth on Grand Bahama, when we made the commitment to equip you with the tools necessary for a fresh start,” added Minister Bowleg.

“We offered you skills training, personal development, job readiness and workplace internships. We offered you the opportunity to learn and to earn, with the Ministry investing more than $2,244 in each of you. And we have kept our promise.

“It gives me great pleasure as Minister of Youth to celebrate each and every one of you who have remained focused, overcome challenges and who have embraced this golden opportunity. Following 103 applications and 50 participants, I am so pleased to graduate all of you here, who have successfully completed this year’s Fresh Start Program.”

Minister Bowleg said the Fresh Start program was designed to respond to the issue of long term unemployment, lack of job search skills and lack of workplace experience among youth, while helping them to develop personally, so that they could steer their lives in any direction they wished.

He added that although everyone may have their own idea of what is a fresh start, at the end of the day, everything boils down to having a fresh mindset. “The success you are seeking may simply be a new way of looking at what you have, where you are and where you want to go,” said Minister Bowleg. “My ministry remains committed to the youth of this country and we will stay with you until you achieve gainful employment. You are our investment and we treasure you.

“You now possess the skills and tools you need to make you employable. I encourage you to keep working and developing character traits that will cause you to be functional wherever you and whenever you are presented with the right opportunities.”