News
Build more prisons or invest in a Technical Vocational School?
#TurksandCaicos, October 26, 2021 –What could be more rewarding for a small developing country like the Turks and Caicos Islands, other then creating additional educational opportunities for their citizens?
In my opinion, it’s the latter of the two, but it’s yours to ponder.
What’s troubling is, at the rate of incarceration, our prison system in the Turks and Caicos Islands could soon be at capacity.
With that being a real possibility, what are some of the proactive steps currently being taken to help secure post-released employment and or participate in education and life skills training?
Many of our young men may not have any interest in attending college or university, but has acquired other skills over the years. So, what other opportunities do we have for this segment of the population in terms of further education or trade?
Look around the country, you will find most of our workforce revolves around the service and trade related industry. Many of these workers posses untapped skills that only need to be cultivated in their area of interest or expertise.
With that in mind, offering vocational education will allow students and young adults to gain the necessary practical experience with a renewed focus in their chosen field of study or career path. This is something they may have otherwise never been able to achieve through traditional classroom learning in academia.
In the 2021 PNP manifesto under education, labor and employment, it clearly states their commitment to the following:
“Create learning opportunities for students that caters to different interest, strengths and learning needs as well as provide the diverse skills that the country requires”.
Henceforth, it’s my belief government should make further provisions to subsidize apprenticeships for our young people, so it becomes more then just platitudes.
Let’s give credit where credit is due, the previous administration was on the right track when a proposal was made to launch a vocational technical school. Unfortunately, the current pandemic may have hampered those efforts.
Nevertheless, the idea was brilliant, and this current administration should continue to embark on this initiative and see that it materializes.
This initiative should move forward, even if it means using the leverage of our BBB+ credit rating borrowing power while we are in the position to do so. It is my belief the return on investment could be priceless.
Often times, countries mimic each other with strategies to tackle or improve different situations, but mass incarceration should not be one of them.
Yes indeed, proper facilities are needed to house and secure those committing heneous crimes.
Nevertheless, if we have learned anything from a developed country like the United States in particular, which has the highest incarceration rate per capita, we can not arrest or incarcerate our way to crime reduction.
If anything, it should be a motivation to galvanise prison reform and readdress certain issues to help reduce the prison recidivism rate.
We should be very careful with what strategies we mimic without doing our own comprehensive studies to determine the societal impact or long term benefits of an initiative.
Given the population of Providenciales, it would be the ideal location for such school.
However, the existing infrastructure in Grand Turk, which is currently being utilized as a community college could also suffice.
With the separate workshops already in place, along with some much needed renovations, this location would make an easy transition for maybe two or three training classes.
It would be in the best interest of our country as well as big corporations, to support such initiative.
Case in point: Prior to the pandemic, every year a foreign company was hired to come in to train and certify our boat operators on primarily international boating standards.
Depending on the location and whether it’s a recertification or a new certification, the cost could range anywhere from $360-$650 per person, in addition to travel and hotel accommodations.
With TCI having some of the best and brightest boat captains, could this be a customized curriculum or certification offered at a trade school?
This particular curriculum should include but not limited to, local regulations best practices and navigational charts for local waters to help mariners better understand the skills they are learning.
This could also be a joint effort between the school, DECR and Maritime departments with qualified personnel to assist with facilitating such training.
Other courses of interest should include hospitality, marine mechanics, carpentry, AC technicians etc. Specifically, areas where it would give students the opportunity for an apprenticeship on the islands.
Not only will we have a higher level of skilled workers and tradesmen, but it will help to alleviate the need for such high dependency on foreign labor force, in addition to providing a readily available recruitment source.
In short, it is of my opinion, education should always trump building more prisons. As concerned citizens, we have a choice to make, stay silent or let our voices be heard. This is what helps to drive government to action or lack thereof.
Ed Forbes,
Concerned Citizen of Grand Turk
PRESS RELEASE
FROM THE GRAND BAHAMA PORT AUTHORITY, LIMITED
Tuesday, March 18, 2025 – Grand Bahama, The Bahamas – The Grand Bahama Port Authority (GBPA) is proud to announce the launch of Tech Edge 2.0, a paid remote internship program, connecting eligible Bahamian candidates—both locally and abroad—with global career-building opportunities in the fields of cybersecurity, mobile app development, data science, and artificial intelligence (AI). According to GBPA exe
cutives, this initiative is a significant step in positioning Grand Bahama as a leader in the digital economy while providing Bahamians with valuable experience in high-demand tech fields.
“Tech Edge 2.0 is more than an internship program—it is a pipeline to professional success”, commented Derek Newbold, Chief Investment Officer for GBPA and Invest Grand Bahama. “With nearly 200 Bahamians already registered, including Bahamians residing in Canada, the U.S., the U.K., and across the islands of The Bahamas, this program is bridging the gap between education and employment, equipping participants with job-ready skills and fostering a new generation of innovators ready to contribute to the advancement of technology and innovation in The Bahamas.” Currently, there are 10 internship placements available, with additional spaces being added as more companies join the program. GBPA, through its Tech Edge 2.0 program, has partnered with four leading international technology firms, including Prophaze (California, USA), Cognetik Labs, Cybermindr, and Digital5 Solutions, to provide paid remote internship training and employment opportunities. All are start-up companies and emerging titans across cybersecurity, API security, and AI-driven threat detection fields. They also cover software development, IT infrastructure, and cloud computing.
Pleased with the evolution of the Tech Edge Program, which initially launched in 2023, President of GBPA, Ian Rolle, noted that he is highly optimistic about the program’s success to date and its proven potential to help drive Grand Bahama as the Tech and Innovation Hub of the nation. “These partnerships are unlocking global opportunities for Bahamians and proving that Grand Bahama is serious about technology. Further, it offers Bahamians direct access to the international job market—without having to leave home.” Rolle stated. “This program is about ensuring that our people are equipped with top-tier training to develop the requisite skills and career pathways to thrive in the digital economy,” Rolle continued.
The Tech Edge 2.0 Internship Program is open to eligible Bahamians worldwide who hold a college degree or are currently pursuing one in a technology-related field, have a strong interest in cybersecurity, AI, mobile app development, data science, or IT infrastructure, and are eager to gain real-world experience and work remotely with cutting-edge tech companies.
Ian Rolle
Applications for Tech Edge 2.0 are now open and will close on March 21, 2025. Interested candidates can apply online at www.techedgebahamas.com, where they will find step-by-step guidance on the application process. GBPA’s project coordinator for Tech Edge 2.0, Jecholiah Braynen, described the initiative as a long-term investment in The Bahamas’ tech workforce and economic growth. “Through our partnership with Quess Corp, a multinational business service provider, based in India, GBPA is building the requisite skills within the Bahamian workforce and equipping them with job-ready skills and experience. This program creates opportunities to drive economic growth, establish new career opportunities, and attract tech companies to the Bahamas by creating a sustainable ecosystem where Bahamians can thrive in the tech industry,” she emphasized. “This is just the beginning. As Tech Edge grows, so will the number of available opportunities.”
Bahamians interested in expanding their career opportunities are encouraged to apply today and become part of The Bahamas’ digital transformation.
For more information, visit www.techedgebahamas.com for updates, success stories, and insights into the tech industry.
-
News6 days agoTurks and Caicos Advances Virtual Asset Regulation with Capacity-Building Workshop
-
Health6 days agoColombian Medical Team saves North Caicos Boy from rare throat disorder
-
News6 days agoDepartment of Tourism Regulations Engages Clement Howell High School Students in Immersive Tourism Education Experience
-
Health1 week agoMinistry of Health Encourages Early Detection on World Kidney Day
-
Government7 days agoSwearing-in of the 30th Canadian Ministry led by Mark Carney, New Prime Minister
-
News6 days agoBusinesses Invited to Name Events at the Turks & Caicos National High School Track & Field Championships
-
Bahamas News7 days agoCarnival Corporation Hosts Barbados Government Officials Aboard P&O Cruises’ Britannia to Showcase Environmental Stewardship
-
Bahamas News5 days agoBeyond the Mainsail: The Sailors of Sassie Sue and Patton Pride