Bahamas News
BAHAMAS: National Training Agency Graduates a Strong Cohort
#Nassau, November 3, 2018 – Bahamas – After completing fourteen weeks of training in Hospitality Services, 
Office Procedures and Information Technology, 79 students received their certificates during a graduation ceremony at the National Training Agency (NTA), Thursday, November 1, 2018.
The training, which included 10 weeks of technical skill training and mandatory work force preparation, has equipped the young people for the country’s workforce.
Gadville McDonald, Executive Director, NTA, said from all indications and according to results, Cohort 9 this was the “best” cohort in the history of the agency. Mr. McDonald commended the students for their success in the new Information Technology (IT) skills training, for the 100 percent passes in the Office Procedure external City and Guilds exam, some obtaining credit and special credit, and for their achievements in the hospitality discipline.
“This cohort has been a part of many firsts. You’ve been able to participate in the launch of our digital certificate block search using block chain technology, which is a first for The Bahamas and this region. This is a big deal. No longer will you have to walk around with your physical certificates but you can actually carry them around in your smart phones.
“You’ve benefited from our intentional strategy of reducing the train the trainer ratio resulting in smaller classes with greater attention being placed on learning outcomes specific to your success in the workforce,” said Mr. McDonald.
He remarked that the NTA is a leader in competency based training in The Bahamas and is fulfilling its mandate of creating a training and job placement system that is dynamic and responsive to the demands of The Bahamas workforce and employment.
“We are considered a go-to agency for employers who are seeking qualified, entry level employees. The staff can tell you that our phones ring off the hook every day looking for qualified Bahamians who can serve at entry level efficiently in various departments,” he said.
In the keynote address, the Hon. Elsworth Johnson, Minister of State for Legal Affairs, who represented the Hon. Dion Foulkes, Minister of Labour, said the Bahamas Government is committed to creating a highly productive, competitive and competent workforce.
He told the graduates that the government continues to invest in them because it understands the need for ongoing competency-based training.
“We believe that every Bahamian should have the best chance to participate in our economy, regardless of academic or financial status.”
He encouraged them to be the greatest model of what is good about the Bahamas’ workforce: courteous, hardworking and disciplined.
“Employers today constantly complain about the entrants to the workforce. Please make the NTA proud, make me proud – be positive at all times, show up for work every day, no matter how you feel, go the extra mile and most importantly never stop learning.
“The National Training Agency continues to be a trailblazer in soft skills training and the overall development of our young people. In its short life span, the agency has trained 5,000 young Bahamians. For this year alone, some 600 young persons have been trained, inclusive of the seventy-nine graduating tonight.
“In addition, the agency is currently training more than 260 youth under the Citizens Security and Justice 
Programme, a key government initiative geared towards increasing employability and employment among at-risk youth between the ages of 15-29. The first part of this training is scheduled to conclude within the next two weeks,” he said.
Thirty-nine percent of the graduates have already received full-time employment and the NTA is making efforts to ensure that the remainder of the graduates are successfully employed. They will be placed in the Ministry of Labour’s Public Employment Services database to ensure their successful placement in the workplace.
The students received certificates, pins and special awards in the various disciplines including food and beverage service, food preparation, housekeeping, butler services, office procedures and IT.
By Kathryn Campbell
Released: BIS
Photo Captions:
Header: The Hon. Elsworth Johnson, Minister of State for Legal Affairs (right) presents a special award to Dwayne Williamson for his achievements in Information Technology as Gadville McDonald, Executive Director, looks on.
1st insert: Jaleal Wright-Bowles, Information Technology student, gives a reflection.
2nd insert: The Hon. Elsworth Johnson, Minister of State for Legal Affairs, speaks at the graduation ceremony of Cohort 9, National Training Agency.
3rd insert: Trenelle Robinson shows off her trophy for her success in butler services. The trophy was presented to her by the Hon. Elsworth Johnson, Minister of State for Legal Affairs (right) and Gadville McDonald, Executive Director.
4th insert: The Hon. Elsworth Johnson, Minister of State for Legal Affairs, is pictured 2nd from right along with other officials at the graduation ceremony of Cohort 9, National Training Agency. Also shown is Gadville McDonald, Executive Director, National Training Agency (1st from right), Cecilia Strachan and Donella Bodie, Permanent Secretaries.
BIS Photos/Raymond A. Bethel, Sr.
NASSAU, Bahamas — More Bahamians are accessing HIV and sexually transmitted infection-related healthcare through National Health Insurance, a trend the NHI Authority says should be viewed positively.
NHIA stressed in an August 6 statement that its 2025 figures measure healthcare utilisation, not newly diagnosed infections. They include beneficiaries screened, treated, monitored or receiving follow-up care, including people diagnosed previously.
“Increased utilisation of these services should be viewed as a positive development,” NHIA said.
The Authority pointed to “greater enrolment and use of NHI, improved access to screening and testing, continued treatment and monitoring of existing conditions, and increased willingness to seek medical care.”
The development comes amid a mixed three-year HIV picture. New diagnoses rose from 130 in 2023 to 156 in 2024, before declining to 142 in 2025.
NHIA said increased utilisation demonstrates that more beneficiaries are accessing needed healthcare and actively managing their health, reinforcing the importance of screening, early diagnosis and continued treatment.
NASSAU, Bahamas — Caribbean Wines & Spirits (CWS), The Bahamas’ premier wines and spirits distributor is proud to announce the launch of Monument Beverage Co., its newest 100% locally produced ready-to-drink alcoholic cocktail.
Monument, “Made to Celebrate”, perfectly encapsulates everything the brand represents. Created and distributed by CWS, Monument is
inspired by culture, crafted with excellence and bursting with innovation.
This unique beverage celebrates island living with three bold flavors, Ginger Lime, Peach Passion and Melon Fizz. All of which can be enjoyed at an ABV of five-point-two percent.
The brand’s creativity really shines through each can’s packaging. Bold colored stripes, cherished native flora and fauna and of course, national monuments can all be found on each can.
The beverage’s two year plus development is a testament to CWS’ dedication to quality and innovation. Countless hours of tastings, reformulations, focus groups and package design reviews all paid off with the creation of Monument.
Karla Wells-Lisgaris, Chief Commercial Officer of Caribbean Wines & Spirits and Caribbean Bottling Company (CBC), local producers of Coca-Cola and Dasani products, shared what this authentically Bahamian made product launch means for the company.
“When we were conceptualizing Monument, we wanted to create a product that not only tasted like The Bahamas but would be an ode to the
nation as well. With those two thoughts in mind, I, along with a team of experts, created three incredible flavors we believe really connect with and celebrate the essence of island living,” she said.
“Additionally, being that Monument is the first product to be 100% manufactured by Caribbean Wines & Spirits, we really wanted to ensure that both the flavors and packaging honored our rich heritage. On each of the cans, you can find various monuments such as the Nassau Public Library in New Providence, the Garden of the Grove in Grand Bahama and the Hatchet Bay Silos in Eleuthera; all of which pay homage to our diverse Bahamian heritage.” Wells-Lisgaris concluded.”
The historic monuments found throughout our islands are more than places we pass every day; they are reminders of who we are, where we’ve come from and the stories that connect us as Bahamians.
Monument is perfectly formulated with quality ingredients, and each can celebrates a collection of these cultural icons from across The Bahamas.
Whether chilling solo beachside, gathered around a family table or backyard a grill with friends, make Monument your sip of choice. Monument is made to celebrate, visit www.cwsbahamas.com today for more details.
NASSAU, Bahamas —– Caribbean Bottling Company (CBC), local producers of Coca-Cola and Dasani products, is proud to crown Lady
Kayla of Exuma as this year’s annual Bahamas Goombay Punch Cup winner.
CBC created the Bahamas Goombay Punch Cup to further the advancement of sailing and Bahamian culture through monetary and social support. The competition judges the skipper’s performance across three regattas, The Best of the Best, the National Family Island and Long Island Regattas.
The winning sloop led by Kianno Hutchinson and Joss Knowles showcased their skillmanship in the E-Class category across each round of competition. In addition to winning the trophy, the skippers were awarded a $5,000 donation, an $8,000 stipend to the junior sailing club of their island and a limited-edition Lady Kayla Bahamas Goombay Punch commemorative can, which will be released soon.
Jonathan Thronebury, Marketing Director of CBC shared the significance behind The Bahamas Goombay Punch Cup.
“The Bahamas Goombay Punch is more than a beloved local brand; it’s a vibrant part of our cultural fabric. Just like sailing, our national sport, it carries a rich legacy that spans generations. Recognizing this shared history, we’re proud to support initiatives that celebrate and advance Bahamian culture,” he said.
Hutchinson and Knowles shared what this win meant for them.
“I felt super proud when I realized we won. I am grateful and thankful to God, for good coaches and Joss. It was really an honor winning the
Bahamas Goombay Punch Cup,” Hutchinson expressed.
“I am very honored to have been able to compete in the Bahamas Goombay Punch Cup, I think it is a great concept and idea for a competition and really adds a new motive throughout the regattas. The whole championship was super competitive, and every single race was a fight. Alvington McKenzie was extremely competitive and had us until the Long Island regatta, which made it a very fun and tough competition. Very excited to have been the winner of a super close championship,” Knowles revealed.
Lady Kayla’s owner, Dallas Knowles, shared the team’s winning strategy.
“In sailing consistency is key and our guys in Lady Kayla are some of the best in the business at staying near the top. In the end, that was enough to secure their first Bahamas Goombay Punch Cup win. We are so proud of Joss and Kianno for what they have done in Lady Kayla. Thank you to Caribbean Bottling Company for such an amazing and forward-thinking initiative,” Knowles shared.
The Bahamas Goombay Punch Cup is proud to continue its impact on sailing and community building through clean and fair competition.
For more updates on the Bahamas Goombay Punch Cup and Caribbean Bottling Company visit the website www.cbcbahamas.com today.
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