News
Labour Department Apprenticeship Program Launched, over 100 regisiter
By Dana Malcolm
Staff Writer
#TurksandCaicos, June 24, 2022 – Just over 100 of the 180 tertiary students in the Turks and Caicos are already registered for the government’s new apprenticeship and internship program. The program was officially launched on Tuesday, June 21st but applications have been coming in for some time.
Minister of Education Rachel Taylor described the program as “a strategic mechanism to bridge the gaps, to empower our youth, to transform lives and achieve human capital development goals.”
Taylor referenced the National Skills Audit noting that youth were sometimes blocked from employment opportunities because they lacked experience and the program aimed to fix that.
The program will work in two parts providing 6-week internships for students in college and flexible 1-month to 9-month long apprenticeships for graduates leaving or out of college.
Labour Commissioner Edwin Taylor broke down the program and explained the main aims.
“There was a set of information that students gave to us which was troubling. A lot of students indicated that after completing university they didn’t plan to stay in the Turks and Caicos; a lot of them indicated they didn’t see opportunities for them. This program is not just to give them skills but to give them hope and to prove to them that there is a place for them here in the Turks and Caicos.”
The Government thus hopes to use the program to, “Bridge the gap between employment and the education field. The program is geared towards giving them real-life experience in their field of study with a reputable institution in the Turks and Caicos Islands.”
The program is for all students whether they are studying in the TCI or overseas and will carry compensation for all participants, where companies lack the funds to compensate students the government will step in and cover the cost. Apart from experience, the idea is to connect students with employers so they know of companies that can use their skills when they graduate.
He explained that the program will be mutually beneficial for both students and employers and they will have guidelines to make sure both are getting the maximum benefit from the program.
“Companies will be obligated to pair them with a mentor who can monitor them and provide them with full rules of engagement and guidelines and descriptions of the jobs,” Commissioner Taylor said.
Students will also spend two hours a week learning the soft skills most desired by overseas companies including active listening, Critical thinking, customer service training, people management, emotional intelligence, and workplace protocol.
There were several success stories shared in the meeting. TCI Islander and UK-certified Lawyer Arnelle Taylor explained how internships had prepared her for work.
“There were many practical and pragmatic benefits to participating in internships while pursuing my tertiary education. They allowed me to supplement the theory of what was learned in the classroom into real work-life practice.” She said.
Minister of Physical Planning and Infrastructure Development Akierra Missick praised the program saying she was well aware of the acute lack of technical workers including engineers, road developers, land-use planners, etc. in her industry.
Director of Youth in the Department of Youth Jasmine Thomas explained that the internship would help to create the 21st century youth noting that they were fully on board with the program.
“The national youth policy speaks to enhancing social capital and enhancing the resilience of young people through intellectual capital in order to provide sustainable employment thus creating the 21st century youth to contribute to national development.”
To augment this program a Labour Market Information System will be developed in the latter part of the year to provide real time information for companies. Commissioner Taylor explained that students would have a passport-like document showing all of their work experience.
“We want to start a passport program where an individual will be able to carry around their resume showing every time, they attend any of these internships that you as partners in this initiative would be able to have direct access to through that Labour Market Information System.” He told business
Minister Taylor chimed in, “Your information will be presented to us in real time so that through our succession planning we will be able to ensure that our people with the right skill sets are placed in the right jobs.” She explained that a TCI delegation would be soon traveling to the Cayman Islands to observe their own system to advise implementation in the TCI
Minister Taylor was particularly grateful to the companies who had made themselves available for internships.
“The excitement that I get from the companies is so rewarding and so encouraging. I want to thank each and every one of you, you are our partners who are going to assist us in reaching each and every one of our goals.” She said.
The launch was attended by Premier Washington Misick, Deputy Premier E. Jay. Saunders, Minister of PPID Akeirra Missick, and representatives from companies across the TCI.
The deadline for more applications is Friday, June 24th and the actual internships will begin by early July.
Turks and Caicos, May 23, 2026 – Invest Turks and Caicos Islands took center stage at one of the region’s most influential hospitality
investment gatherings this spring, serving as a Platinum Sponsor at ALIS CALA 2026 in Coral Gables, Florida.
Held April 28 to 30 at the Loews Coral Gables Hotel, the conference brought together more than 600 tourism, hotel and investment leaders from over 35 countries focused on the future of hospitality investment in the Caribbean and Latin America.
ALIS CALA — short for the Americas Lodging Investment Summit Caribbean and Latin America — is widely regarded as the region’s premier deal-driven hospitality investment conference. The platform emerged from the merger of the long-running Caribbean Hotel & Resort Investment Summit (CHRIS) and Hotel Opportunities Latin America (HOLA), creating what organizers describe as a high-level space where investors, developers, lenders, hotel brands and government leaders connect around major regional projects and opportunities.
The event is known for attracting senior decision-makers, with roughly one in three delegates holding titles such as Chairman, CEO, President, Owner or Principal.
Invest Turks and Caicos said its participation focused heavily on showcasing investment opportunities across the territory, particularly in the Family Islands.
CEO Angela Musgrove delivered a presentation highlighting development opportunities in the Turks and Caicos Islands to what the agency
described as a full room of attendees and strong stakeholder interest.
In a statement following the conference, Invest Turks and Caicos said discussions centered on tourism expansion, sustainable development and long-term investment partnerships designed to position the Turks and Caicos Islands as a leading investment destination in the region.
The agency added that it looks forward to continuing conversations started at ALIS CALA and building new partnerships with investors, developers and strategic stakeholders interested in growth opportunities throughout the islands.
The conference itself focused heavily on capital access, hotel development pipelines, mixed-use tourism projects and investment confidence throughout the Caribbean basin — sectors where Turks and Caicos continues to attract increasing international attention.
The Rick Fox Political Timeline
“Are You Thinking About Politics?”
Fox publicly acknowledged growing calls for him to enter Bahamian politics, saying he had been hearing from women, youth, business owners and everyday Bahamians who were “ready for something different.”
October 19, 2025
“Then Jump, Man.”
Fox revealed a conversation with NBA legend Michael Jordan, who encouraged him to enter politics after asking whether he believed he could help young Bahamians.
November 24, 2025
“The Bahamas Must Be First”
Fox officially announced his intention to run in the 2026 General Election, promising transparency, affordability, opportunity and a modern Bahamian economy.
February 4, 2026
“Officially Picked”
The Free National Movement formally ratified Fox as its candidate for Garden Hills, instantly making him one of the most talked-about figures in the election cycle.
March 20, 2026
“From Courtside to Campaign Stage”
Fox mounted the national campaign stage for the first time at the FNM’s major campaign launch at Baha Mar Resort in Nassau.
March 30, 2026
“I’m Giving The Salary Back”
Fox announced he would not take a parliamentary salary if elected, saying the funds should instead go back into helping the people of
Garden Hills.
April 14, 2026
“Nomination Eve Goes Viral”
A heated confrontation involving Fox and PLP supporters outside the Parliamentary Registration Department exploded across social media after video captured the tense exchange.
April 16, 2026
“Pick Rick” Officially Launches
Nomination Day cemented Fox’s candidacy and formally launched the now-famous “Pick Rick” campaign branding.
April 19, 2026
“Vote and Win”
Jamiah Burrows won a vehicle through Fox’s civic participation challenge, part of a campaign effort encouraging voter engagement and turnout.
April 20, 2026
“The Wealthiest Candidate”
Financial disclosures revealed Fox as the wealthiest candidate in the 2026 election cycle, with reported assets exceeding $469 million, ending speculation about his financial standing.
April 25, 2026
“The Garden Hills Blueprint”
Fox unveiled detailed policy graphics outlining plans for:
- youth development,
- healthcare access,
- infrastructure upgrades,
- environmental restoration,
- entrepreneurship,
- and a proposed $10 million investment fund for Garden Hills.
May 4, 2026
“The Numbers Don’t Lie”
Fox’s campaign highlighted more than:
- 20 community clean-ups,
- 16 streets and locations served,
- and 13 solar lights installed across Garden Hills during the campaign.
May 6, 2026
“Shaq Steps In”
NBA legend Shaquille O’Neal publicly endorsed Fox, helping elevate international attention surrounding the campaign.
May 8, 2026
“Buju Backs Rick”
Jamaican reggae icon Buju Banton threw his support behind Fox ahead of Election Day.
May 10, 2026
“Vanessa Williams Endorses”
Fox’s former wife, actress and singer Vanessa Williams publicly endorsed his campaign.
May 11, 2026
“Magic Joins the Campaign”
NBA icon Magic Johnson became the latest major celebrity to endorse Fox just one day before Bahamians went to the polls.
May 12, 2026
“Election Day”
Fox contested the Garden Hills constituency seat against PLP incumbent Mario Bowleg in one of the country’s most closely watched races.
May 13, 2026
“Grace in Defeat”
Fox publicly conceded the race and congratulated Bowleg on his victory in Garden Hills.
May 18, 2026
“We Pick Rick”
Despite losing at the polls, Fox officially entered Parliament after being appointed to the Senate by the FNM — with the party itself declaring:
“We Pick Rick.”
The appointment made Fox one of the most internationally recognized figures ever to serve in the Bahamian Senate.
Angle by Deandrea Hamilton. Built with ChatGPT (AI). Magnetic Media — CAPTURING LIFE.
Providenciales, Turks and Caicos Islands — The Informal Settlements Unit (ISU), in coordination with the Planning Department and key partner agencies, conducted a multi-agency enforcement exercise on Thursday, May 7, 2026, in the Lower Bight area in Providenciales. The exercise resulted in the complete removal of a total of eight (8) unauthorized structures and all associated debris from a
privately-owned parcel of land.
The operation was led by the Planning Department, with coordination by the ISU and support from the TCI Border Force, the Crown Land Unit, and Pelican Energy. Security for the exercise was provided by the Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force. All agencies worked collaboratively to ensure the exercise was carried out in a safe, orderly, and controlled manner.
The enforcement action followed a structured and lawful process in accordance with the Physical Planning regulatory framework of the Turks and Caicos Islands. Section 45 Enforcement Notices were first issued on the affected parcel in December 2024, identifying unauthorized structures erected without the requisite approvals. This was followed by the issuance of Warning Notices on April 16, 2026, which advised occupants that they were in breach of planning and land use regulations and provided notice that demolition activities would proceed following the prescribed compliance period. Despite these notices and the time afforded for compliance, the unauthorized structures remained in place.
This exercise represents part of an ongoing commitment to ensuring that development within the Turks and Caicos Islands is lawful, safe, and aligned with national standards.
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