Bahamas News
61 Graduate from NTA Mandatory Workforce Preparatory (Soft Skills) Program
Minister Bell suggests NTA expand to offer adult re-tooling
By Stirling Strachan (BIS)
#TheBahamas, February 11, 2022 – “These sixty-one graduates, 45 of whom are from New Providence, eight from Exuma, seven from Grand Bahama and one from the Island of Abaco, were successful in completing four weeks of the Mandatory Workforce Preparatory Program (soft skills) which provides trainees with the attributes required by employers in the workplace. These attributes are related to positive attitudes, motivated behavior, effective communication skills and excellent customer service delivery,” said Minister of Labour and Immigration the Hon. Keith Bell.
Minister Bell’s comments came during a graduation ceremony held Thursday, February 3, by the National Training Agency (NTA), which falls under his portfolio.
Also in attendance at the ceremony were Mrs. Ann Marie Davis of the Office of the Spouse of the Prime Minister, who offered encouragement to the graduates; and Terry Murray, Executive Director of the National Training Agency.
Minister Bell remarked, “We are determined to equip our young adults to be productive in the workforce; whether as employees, entrepreneurs, artisans or any other area that they many wish to pursue in accordance with their abilities.”
For example, upon completion of the four-week ‘soft skills’ program the trainees embark on a 10-week practical skills program in their selected disciplines. Expert, competent and accredited training providers deliver skills training which include Technological, Hotel/Tourism Industry, Office Management, and Retail proficiencies.
The Minister said, “With such valued training in mind I see the National Training Agency as a critical component, not only to the government and the private sector or the labour force and our social development, but certainly to everything that is happening in our country.
“In its creation, the NTA was a novel, innovative idea, but now it must extend itself even further to keep pace with
what we believe will happen regarding the growth and expansion of our nation’s economy, in the not too distant future.
To date the NTA has done work we can all be proud of,” Minister Bell said; as at present more than 6,800 persons have been trained with approximately 52 percent of them securing employment.
“These are excellent results however, there is much more work to be done and we will do it!
“We must prepare our people for the opportunities that will present themselves. And as such, the NTA must think about broadening its focus, especially in the area of adult training, retooling and retraining.
“To this end, we have begun to tackle the challenge of low productivity and lackluster performance in many of our workplaces, by teaming up with one of the most prestigious global organizations that provides high level training for all levels of leadership, management and team building.
“The vision of the National Training Agency is to create a workforce that is transformative, highly productive, service oriented, globally competitive, and responsive to the dynamics of the Bahamian economy.
“As you may be aware the agency was launched in July 2013 under the auspices of the Ministry of Labour and
National Insurance, and eight years later in July of 2021, the agency launched its 17th cohort. As with previous cohorts, the program was inundated with prospective candidates who wished to enroll from not only New Providence but also, many of our Family Islands inclusive of Abaco, Grand Bahama and Exuma.
“Graduates you represent Cohort 17 and I as Minister of Labour and Immigration, I am extremely proud of your achievements. I believe that this is only the beginning of your growth and development. I encourage you to continue to strive to reach your full potential.”
In 2016 NTA was awarded the status of ILM (Institute of Leadership and Management) Centre — the top tier training organization of the City & Guilds group, which is headquartered in London.
Minister Bell said, “As Minister of Labour and Immigration I pledge my full support to the work of the NTA, and will do whatever I can to assist in its invaluable work.”
(BIS Photos/Ulric Woodside)
NASSAU, Bahamas — Caribbean Bottling Company (CBC), local producers and distributors of Coca-Cola and Dasani products concluded their 10 weeklong Twist To Win campaign with four $5,000 Mall at Marathon shopping sprees.
The campaign which was available throughout the entire Bahamas allowed consumers to enter by purchasing a 20oz bottle with a yellow cap
from the following brands: Coca-Cola, Coca-Cola No Sugar, Sprite, Fanta Orange, or Fanta Grape. Each yellow-cap had a unique alpha numeric code underneath which they submitted to the Twist To Win WhatsApp number.
With each qualifying purchase, participants residing in The Bahamas were entered to win instant prizes and into a grand prize draw to win one of four $5,000 shopping sprees at the Mall at Marathon.
Participants also enjoyed exciting instant prizes such as: Airpods, JBL Speakers, premium Coca-Cola merchandise, $500 Visa gift cards and Amazon, Spotify and Apple Music digital gift cards.
Out of 76,000 plus submissions, Brian Bethel, Ashia Demeritte, Merlin Adams, and Taraceta Neely won the coveted Mall at Marathon shopping sprees at the following select stores, Kelly’s House & Home, The Sports Center, John Bull, Brass & Leather, and BTC.
Leading up to the grand finale shopping spree, Coca-Cola hosted a Trivia Showdown with the eight finalists to determine the four winners. Finalists were tested on their knowledge of World History, Pop Culture, Caribbean Bottling Company and Coca-Cola Facts!
After a few rousing rounds of trivia, the four winners were declared after each winning their spot in the shopping spree by answering their questions correctly and choosing the “Grand Prize” Coca-Cola labeled bottles at random.
The morning of the shopping spree Coca-Cola gave the winners exclusive access to the Mall at Marathon and its participating stores before
their usual operating hours. Grand prize winners were greeted with wide smiles from Coca-Cola brand representatives and morning bites before the big event.
At the start of the thirty-minute clock the grand prize winners along with each of their Coca-Cola shopping assistants ran to the various stores collecting items in their arms and carts.
Merlin Adams, a husband and father of four was proud to have executed his game-plan at the end of the shopping spree. With toys, a new phone and materials for his home from Kelly’s, Adams felt accomplished in what he gathered.
Taraceta Neely, a winner from Eleuthera collected beautiful bags for herself and relatives from Brass and Leather and Brian Bethel bought matching athletic and outdoor wear from The Sports Center for his family.
The final winner Ashia Demeritte bought linens and household items in addition to a new phone from BTC right in time for Christmas.
Caribbean Bottling Company is proud to share the real magic of Coca-Cola with the grand prize winners and the may instant prize winners across the Twist To Win campaign. For more updates on new products, promotions, and events follow www.cbcbahamas.com.
Bahamas News
The Coca-Cola Art Project Astonishes Art Lovers at The Bahamas Culinary & Arts Festival
NASSAU, Bahamas — Caribbean Bottling Company (CBC), local producers and distributors of Coca-Cola and Dasani products displayed
their astonishing Coca-Cola Art Project (CCAP), during Baha Mar’s five-day Culinary & Arts Festival. Earlier this year, Coca-Cola partnered with The University of The Bahamas’ Visual Art and Design Department for a culturally rich art competition. UB’s art students were challenged to create pieces surrounding the theme, Bahamian music.
As a result, 20 student works of art were made, with four students declared as winners at the CCAP exhibit opening in Baha Mar’s ECCHO: Art Gallery in August. To recreate the culturally stimulating magic felt at the exhibit’s premiere, the CCAP was featured at the FUZE Art Tent during The Bahamas Culinary & Arts Festival.
Nine incredible pieces of art lined the walls of the Coca-Cola Art Project, four of which included the winning pieces from Jhanaisia Cole,
with ‘Gaulin Bride’; Alyssa Pinder, with ‘Shotgun Wedding’; Nelson Gray, with ‘Untitled’; and Jaela Bowe, with the piece ‘Whims of Obeah, a Folktail’. Additionally, an intimate listening room was built. It displayed students’ artistic processes, UB Visual Art and Design representatives, and a recap of the exhibit opening for audiences.
Art enthusiasts also enjoyed premium limited-edition CCAP keepsakes at the booth. Journals which featured a collage of all 20 student submissions on the front and back cover, postcards with an art piece on the cover along with the student’s name, title, dimension and materials on the back and pens designed with the CCAP’s dynamic logo.
Throughout the art festival diverse groups of people visited the art tent taking in the displays while enjoying the artistic insights from the
listening booth.
Community and culture are always at the forefront of Caribbean Bottling Community, and it was boldly showcased during The Bahamas Culinary & Arts Festival for the third consecutive year.
For more details on the Coca-Cola Art Project, events and new products visit www.cbcbahamas.com today!
NASSAU, Bahamas — Caribbean Wines & Spirits (CWS), The Bahamas’ premier wines and spirits distributor delighted Jollification
attendees with bubbles from their Bottega and Bouvet Ladubay sparkling wines and Besserat de Bellefon champagne lines.
Located in the Monument Circle on The Retreat grounds, CWS transformed The Retreat Garden into a lush lounge with Besserat, Bouvet and their latest product addition, Bottega, during the two-day affair.
The festivities kicked off Friday during BNT Member’s Night. Guests enjoyed exclusive offerings from CWS’s catalogue, offered exclusively to members. Complimentary mixes or glasses on the rocks included El Tequileno tequila, Hard Truth whiskey, House of Angostura rum, Cross Keys gin, Nemiroff vodka and a slew of wines such as Fonesca Bin, Bottega and Besserat.
Guests also savored the ‘Jolly Paloma’ cocktail, an instant favorite made with El Tequileno tequila, Schweppes Grapefruit and Domaine de Paris rose wine. To end the night, guests were treated to branded limited-edition wine tumblers as keepsakes.
On Saturday and Sunday, Jollification attendees delighted in glasses or bottles of champagne and sparkling brut or rosé wines while taking
in the comfort of the chic lounge. In addition to purchasing bottles for onsite consumption, consumers were also able to purchase bottles as gifts whether for themselves or someone special.
The sophisticated “bubble lounge” lounge was decked with velvet couches, gold rimmed cocktail tables, blue and pink pillows, and a white floral branded backdrop created for capturing the perfect picture.
Caribbean Wines & Spirits, a historic partner of the Bahamas National Trust was pleased to support Jollification 2025 to kick off the festive season and share their expansive range of spirits.
To keep up to date with all CWS products and events, visit their website at www.cwsbahamas.com today.
