From left to right: BTVI’s Interim Chief Financial Officer, Sharlene Hilton and Interim President, Dr. Linda A. Davis; Walt Disney Imagineering (WDI), Senior Construction Manager, Jon Hough; Minister of Agriculture, Marine Resources and Family Island Affairs, the Honourable Clay Sweeting; Minister of State for the Ministry of Education and Technical and Vocational Training, the Honourable Zane Lightbourne; BTVI Board Directors, Warren Berry and Lionel Sands and BTVI Coordinator, Eleuthera, Andrea Carey.
Photo: Terrance Strachan, The Counsellors Limited
The Bahamas Technical and Vocational Institute’s (BTVI) Eleuthera satellite campus is now underway with the support of Disney Cruise Line (DCL). The announcement came on the heels of the recent Eleuthera Business Outlook where Disney representatives led a panel discussion on Providing Opportunities for Entrepreneurs and BTVI’s Interim President, Dr. Linda A. Davis presented on BTVI: Looking to New Solutions for Skilled Labour Shortage.
The Green Castle site, which was identified as a potential location earlier this year, will now be officially refurbished to provide technical and vocational training across a variety of trades on the island, including construction and mechanical, beauty, fashion, information technology, electronics and media technology and business.
Dr. Davis underscored that BTVI’s Eleuthera presence is a part of the institute’s strategic development of satellite campuses throughout The Bahamas.
“BTVI’s expansion to the Family Islands allows persons to remain on their island of choice while becoming certified and therefore more employable. This growth of technical and vocational education training (TVET) opportunities comes as employing trade-certified persons on a large scale poses a national challenge,” she said.
Dr. Davis added, “Disney Cruise Line’s support in spreading the magic of TVET is welcomed with open arms. BTVI is grateful for not only their assistance in this first phase of establishing a satellite campus in Eleuthera but for allowing BTVI students to participate through attachments and internships at its Lighthouse Point project site, where Disney Cruise Line is creating a new island destination.”
“Disney is proud to fund the refurbishment of BTVI’s Green Castle site, bringing more access to technical and vocational education and training opportunities to communities in South Eleuthera,” said Joey Gaskins, Disney Cruise Line Regional Public Affairs Director.
“We’re committed to providing Bahamians with the tools and resources they need to grow their careers, and our support of BTVI is a natural extension of these efforts.”
BTVI currently offers a Single Phase Electrical course on Eleuthera with plans afoot to expand courses across the trades. In partnership with the Ministry of Education and Technical and Vocational Training, BTVI already offers technical and vocational training on other islands using various school sites. Satellite campuses like the Green Castle site in Eleuthera are expected to follow in Abaco and Exuma with an additional site in Grand Bahama.