Princeton Boston is a graduate of Doris Johnson Senior High where auto mechanics was an elective for him. He entered the gates of Bahamas Technical and Vocational Institute (BTVI) in 2010 and, by summer of the following year, he had earned a certificate in auto mechanics. He went on to become a mechanical engineer at Benteler Automotive, a German manufacturer for exhaust systems in Michigan, then a field engineer at Swisslog in Ohio, one of the world's leading logistics automation companies.
BTVI's mission is to provide applied education that transforms lives and communities, and enables individuals to be globally competitive and economically independent. The institution exposes students to the innovative, rapidly evolving field of technical education. From certificates to diplomas, to associate of applied science degrees on New Providence and Grand Bahama, with a center on Andros. With hybrid and virtual modes of education already connecting Family Island students to various programs, its physical campus is expanding to Eleuthera, Abaco, Exuma and Eight Mile Rock, Grand Bahama.
Programs range from media technology, electrical installation, information technology and electronics engineering to fashion design, cosmetology, human resources and auto mechanics, among many others.
After BTVI, Boston attended New England Institute of Technology in Rhode Island where he obtained an associate's degree in advance automotive technology. The young man, who was a Lyford Cay Scholar, a Ministry of Education National Technical Scholar and had a scholarship from Albany, then matriculated to Ferris State University where he graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Automotive Engineering in 2017. He credits BTVI as his foundation, adding that the institution prepared him to systematically address car problems.
"With the hands-on knowledge, I could find the problem in the car and fix or address the issue which ends up being a huge factor for most engineers, due to the fact that some engineers cannot troubleshoot a problem in a car because they don't know how it functions; some only design and manufacture the car parts," he said in an earlier interview.
"The education I received from BTVI was priceless because I took full advantage of the opportunities given to me by my instructors. I continually build on the education I got from BTVI, which was second to none in my field; that's how I became so successful, in addition to determination to always do my best to represent my BTVI and The Bahamas."
Another example of someone who sees the benefits of a technical education is Keardio Ferguson. Already the holder of a Bachelor of Science in Biology with a minor in Chemistry from University of The Bahamas, the current BTVI welding student wants to become a research chemist.
"Studying welding aligns with my career goals of being a material scientist with a focus on metallurgy and thermodynamics. My steel fabrication instructor, Maverick Moxey, helped me to narrow my focus in material science to metallurgy. His teaching style is hands-on. That's how I learn best," said Ferguson.
"In his class, I am able to apply mathematics utilizing the measuring tape," he said. "I display skills learned. The welding program helps me understand metal on a practical level."
Meanwhile, a number of former students have returned to BTVI to teach. Fashion designer, Myrlande Julien, is one of them. She credits BTVI with laying the foundation for her success.
When the Lyford Cay Foundations Scholar matriculated to The Academy of Design at the RCC Institute of Technology in Canada to study fashion marketing, she recognized that what she learned at BTVI placed her above classmates.
"BTVI was heaven sent. A lot of students in the fashion marketing program didn't have that fashion design background ... that technical background. I was able to help some of them," said the designer whose label is Myrlande Julien.
Success is not exclusively inevitable for those who trek the academic route. Unfortunately, because a bias against people who work with their hands has long existed, many students are channeled through the academic route. With career and technical education being a catalyst for science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) education, one ought not to consider vocational learning as a last resort for those who have failed academically. Conversely, it is quite challenging.
BTVI is an important gateway toward providing skilled labor, even though in some quarters, there had been a blue-collar stigma attached to technical and vocational education and training (TVET).
But Dr. Pleshette McPhee, dean of administrative services at BTVI, has previously said, "TVET is the new global currency."
People who study TVET are the bedrock of the labor force - in-demand skills that employers need.
State Minister for Education Zane Lightbourne previously said, "Technical and vocational education is the building block of successful countries."
BTVI is an important gateway toward providing skilled labor to match the market demand throughout the country and beyond.
The importance of TVET was underscored in 2017 at a Recode conference. Then-Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of LinkedIn Jeff Weiner shared the need for skilled workers.
"Historically [in the United States], there's been a tremendous amount of weight that's been given to four-year university degrees and not nearly enough weight in my opinion is given to vocational training facilities and vocational training certifications," said Weiner.
"The fact that many people don't know how or don't want to repair or install anything means a big payday for those that do."
In the interim, TVET creates problem solvers - students who are able to troubleshoot and analyze problems. With the workplace constantly evolving with the introduction of new equipment, the TVET classroom is not about teaching students how to operate a specific piece of equipment; it is about teaching concepts and skills that reinforce technology and the application of that knowledge.
Bahamas Agriculture and Marine Science Institute
At the Bahamas Agriculture and Marine Science Institute (BAMSI), a tertiary institution for agriculture, aquaculture, marine, environmental science and related disciplines, they focus on the balance between academics and industry training.
BAMSI attracts the student who wants a focused curriculum, experiential learning and building their proficiency skills in their area of interest - making a difference, an impact in this country.
Dr. Raveenia Roberts-Hanna, BAMSI executive director, said due to the importance of what they do, they offer a wide range of courses accessible to anyone and that are current to the needs of industry and country.
"Our students are equipped with the knowledge and the practical and proficiency skills within the sectors, so they perform well on day one," said Roberts-Hanna. "They are sought after and in-demand for this reason. Within our training and experiential experience, students obtain international and national certifications that complement their studies."
BAMSI's offerings include short courses, over 400 online courses, certifications such as national flats fishing, nature-based tourism, and sustainability certifications, backyard farming, agriculture and aquaponics and associate degree programs: agriculture, general agriculture, aquaculture, marine science, environmental science, art and the environment, agribusiness, business management, agronomy, and animal science.
BAMSI degree credits are transferable throughout the world and students start at year three of their continued studies.
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