News
A growing demand for investment in a Technical Vocational School in TCI
#TurksandCaicos, August 2, 2023 – What could be more rewarding for a small developing nation like the Turks and Caicos Islands, other than creating post-secondary educational opportunities for their citizens?
Let’s give credit where credit is due, in 2020, the previous administration was on the right track when a proposal was made to launch a vocational technical school. Unfortunately, the Covid-19 pandemic may have hampered those efforts. 
Nevertheless, the idea was brilliant, and this current administration should create more momentum around this initiative and see that it materializes.
With the increasing number of students graduating high school, there is a growing need for the government to find more job placements and career opportunities for them.
Without a trade school, in addition to the limited skills many of our young men do have, this is not sustainable in terms of creating a competitive skill based economy. Eventually, it will create a vacuum for idle hands and unscrupulous behavior.
Although, many citizens are enthralled by the recent vocational opportunities being proposed for our prison system, what’s troubling is the rate of incarceration among our young men.
Since the large majority of criminal offenders in TCI are males, we should dig deeper to help determine the driving force behind such trend.
It also underscores the need for more social programs, post-released employment and greater opportunity to participate in education and life skills training.
Since there are no trade schools, perhaps, the aim should be to ensure there are adequate curriculums in high schools and local community colleges geared towards attracting more males students.
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 are there for this segment of the population in terms of further education or trade?
Let’s take a around the country, you will find that 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.
These are skills 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.
Understanding the gravity of this moment is of paramount. We have to build a society that works for everyone and not just for some.
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 different strategies to tackle or improve situations, which is shrewd. Nevertheless, doing our own comprehensive studies to determine the societal impact or long term benefits of an initiative is also important. It is my belief, trade schools should be one of them.
With our jails being at the brink of capacity, putting the proper infrastructure in place such as a trade school is crucial. It should also be a stronger motivation to galvanise prison reform and redress certain issues to help reduce the prison recidivism rate.
The focus should be on creating a pipeline from high school to trade school or college not from high school to prison.
Given the dense 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 local community college could also suffice.
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 is 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, food and hotel accommodations for those traveling to Provo from Grand Turk or other sister islands.
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 limited too, local regulations best practices and navigational charts for local waterways 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 qualifying personnel to assist with facilitating such training.
Other courses of interest should include but not limited to hospitality, marine mechanics, carpentry, AC technicians, plumbing, masonry 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 illegal foreign labor force, in addition to providing a readily available recruitment source.
Greater emphasis must be placed on finding better ways to help save our youth from themselves. Through our collective determination, I believe we can drive positive change and bring about a brighter future for them.
I also believe our leaders should be measured not by the promises they make or the headlines made in social media, but by the truths they reveal and the service and opportunities they provide to the people.
At the end of the day, in order for TCI to move forward without leaving its most vulnerable citizens behind, government must prioritize policies that supports meaningful jobs, which could be one of the many benefits of vocational technical educational opportunities.
Ed Forbes,
Concerned citizen of Grand Turk
After demolition
Providenciales, Turks and Caicos Islands – Friday, 17 July 2026: The Planning Department, with support from the Informal Settlements Unit (ISU), and the Crown Land Unit conducted a coordinated enforcement operation on Thursday, 2 July 2026, resulting in the demolition of six unauthorised structures on private property at Block and Parcel 60502/48. Security for the operation was provided by the Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force.
The enforcement action followed the issuance of an Enforcement Notice by the Planning Department on 29 January 2026, advising the persons responsible for the structures that they had been erected without the necessary planning approval and were required to be removed. Following the expiration of the compliance period, a multi-agency operation was organised to carry out the demolition.
Before demolition activities commenced, personnel conducted a comprehensive inspection of the site to confirm that all structures were unoccupied and free of gas cylinders or other hazardous materials. These precautionary measures were undertaken to safeguard the welfare
of both the enforcement teams and the public while ensuring the operation was carried out safely and efficiently.
Upon completion of the exercise, participating agencies returned to Police Tactical Headquarters for a debrief, marking the successful conclusion of another coordinated enforcement effort.
The Government of the Turks and Caicos Islands reminds members of the public that all construction activities must receive the appropriate planning approvals before work begins. The Planning Department will continue to work alongside its partner agencies to enforce the Planning Ordinance, promote orderly development and ensure that construction throughout the Islands complies with the applicable laws and regulations.
Members of the public are encouraged to familiarise themselves with the planning approval process and to seek guidance from the Planning Department before undertaking any development to avoid enforcement action and loss of money invested.
News
DDME’s Hurricane Hunt Scavenger Hunt Sparks Community Spirit and Storm Preparedness in Providenciales
Department of Disaster Management and Emergencies: Providenciales, Turks and Caicos Islands — Fifteen teams raced across Providenciales on Saturday July 4th for the inaugural DDME Hurricane Hunt, a community scavenger hunt designed to combine friendly competition with hurricane preparedness education.
Teams were given a bag of supplies and 15 cryptic clues, participants had less than two hours to pinpoint locations and collect hurricane must-haves; including water jugs, shovels, flashlights and other supplies that every household should have on hand ahead of a storm.
The challenge tested not only participants’ local knowledge and navigation skills, but also their teamwork under time pressure; all while reinforcing practical lessons about what it takes to stay ready when a storm approaches.
Beyond the hunt itself, the event drew a lively crowd of families and supporters who turned out to enjoy a full day of festivities. Attendees took part in games, received free gifts, face painting, canvas painting, bounce houses and visited vendor booths; while enjoying fresh food off the grill throughout the afternoon.
“This event brought together the best of both worlds; a fun, high-energy competition and a meaningful reminder of how important it is for our community to be prepared,” Mr. Aaron Ballantyne, Community Preparedness Officer for Providenciales. “Seeing 15 teams fully engaged, racing to landmarks across the island while learning what belongs in a hurricane kit, was exactly the outcome we hoped for.”
DDME extends their sincere gratitude to the stakeholders that partnered with the event and generously donated their time, resources and
efforts to make it a success: The Turks and Caicos Islands Red Cross, The Oseta Jolly Primary School, The Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force, Do It Center (Building Materials), KB Homes, Digicel TCI, Frost Cay and Clint Grilling and Catering Services, along with all other vendors who were solicited.
The event’s success was also made possible by the private organizations and government departments that opened their locations to serve as scavenger hunt sites, allowing the hunt to unfold across the island; from Chalk Sound to Long Bay.
The quick thinking first place team consisted of; Neekimo King, Keturah Miller-Brown, Lashaunda Dickenson and Kebba Thomas who all walked away with exciting prizes.
Ms. Bernadya Smith, Public Information and Media Manager stated; “With hurricane season underway, this event, along with our recent Hurricane Expo held in Grand Turk and community pop-ups throughout the country, is a testament to DDME’s commitment to blending community engagement with year-round storm readiness. We look forward to making this event an annual staple that brings families together while keeping preparedness at the forefront of every community we serve.
Follow DDME social media pages to stay up to date with upcoming events and to join their weekly quizzes for a chance to win exciting prizes all hurricane season long.
News
Invest TCI Supports Certification of Local Flats Fishing Guides Through MSME Technical Assistance Under Historic TCFFA–TCICC Partnership
Providenciales, Turks and Caicos Islands — June 11th 2026 — Invest Turks and Caicos Islands has confirmed a financial commitment of $26,750 through the MSME Programme’s Technical Assistance support to assist 35 participants undertaking STCW and Fly-Fishing Guide Certifications under the Turks and Caicos Fly Fishing Association (TCFFA) and the Turks and Caicos Islands Community College (TCICC) partnership. The support is intended to strengthen the capacity of existing and emerging local operators within the flats-fishing and marine–based tourism sector, helping participants formalize their skills, improve service standards, and access higher-value economic opportunities.
The announcement follows the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between TCFFA and TCICC on 12th May 2026, establishing the
country’s first endorsed and regionally recognized Sustainable Fly-Fishing curriculum. That partnership, funded in part by the UK Government through the Darwin Plus Local initiative, aims to certify twenty or more Turks and Caicos Islanders as Flats-Fishing Guides and Train-The-Trainers — drawn from Providenciales, North Caicos, South Caicos, Middle Caicos, and Grand Turk.
Invest TCI’s contribution ensures that the financial barrier to certification does not prevent qualified candidates from accessing this sector-building opportunity. The support is being provided as technical assistance to strengthen the capacity of existing and emerging MSMEs within the flats-fishing and marine-based tourism sector, enabling participants to formalize, improve service standards, and access higher-value market opportunities.
“We are indeed happy to be a part of this initiative and to provide financial support towards the certification of the 35 participants. Invest TCI is committed to empowering small and medium enterprises and the individuals who drive them – and this programme is a direct example of that commitment in action.” — Alexa Cooper, Vice President – SME Development, Invest Turks and Caicos
Regional studies, including research on The Bahamas’ flats-fishing sector, show that the industry can generate significant economic value through lodging, meals, transport, retail, and guided services. This demonstrates the potential for Turks and Caicos to strengthen its own flats-fishing value chain through professional training, certification, and local enterprise development.
Angela Musgrove, CEO of Invest Turks and Caicos, highlighted the strategic alignment between the investment and Invest TCI’s broader
mission:
“Invest TCI’s mandate is to support a stronger, more diversified economy with Turks and Caicos Islanders positioned to benefit from the industries that shape our future. This initiative directly aligns with that mandate. By supporting certification for local flats-fishing guides, we are helping to convert local knowledge into recognized credentials, strengthen small business capacity, and retain more value within our communities. It is a practical investment in people, enterprise, and sector development.” — Angela Musgrove, CEO, Invest Turks and Caicos
TCFFA President Levardo Talbot, whose association initiated the candidacy process and identified the funded participants, welcomed Invest TCI’s commitment as pivotal to the programme’s reach:
“For the first time, Turks and Caicos Islander fly fishing guides have an endorsed and regionally-recognized, locally delivered pathway into a profession that has long been built on their knowledge but not always on their terms. Invest TCI’s support ensures the people who should be in this room are in this room.” — Levardo Talbot, President, Turks and Caicos Fly Fishing Association
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