The new construction-trade apprenticeship programme is expected to stem the flow of non-Bahamian labourers being brought into the country to work, it was claimed yesterday.
In his address at a press conference that launched the new initiative, Minister of Labour and Immigration, Vincent Peet, stated that each year his ministry receives “thousands” of applications requesting foreign workers be brought in.
“This apprenticeship programme will certainly provide skilled Bahamians with opportunities to help with mega-developments,” he said. “It will also reduce the need for any applications to be made or certainly granted for persons to come into this country to do work, which Bahamians will be qualified to do.”
Minister Peet pointed out that he was excited to see the plan executed. “It will certainly make it easy for me to turn down certain requests, as we try to expand the economy with skilled Bahamian labour.”
He added that while there will always be a need for foreign workers, it should never outweigh the demand for Bahamian labourers.
“There will always be needs for certain types of skills from personnel outside this country. [But] the government wants to reduce those numbers to a very small percentage and this [initiative] will allow us to do that,” he said.
The apprenticeship programme is a joint venture between the Ministry of Education, Kerzner International, Baha Mar Developments, Bahamas Technical and Vocational Institute (BTVI), The Bahamas Contractors Association and The Department of Labour.
The Ministry of Education, Kerzner International and Baha Mar Developments, are providing its funding, which will cost “an estimated $1 million per year,” said Education Minister, Alfred Sears, who was also at the press conference.
“We certainly welcome this initiative, with our country’s largest resort developers and the important Contractors Association,” said Minister Sears. “These investors have demonstrated a commitment to the development of The Bahamas.”
BTVI applicants, referrals from the Labour Department, Kerzner International and Baha Mar employees, make up the 180 students who are already enrolled in the programme.
They will study in areas such as carpentry, electrical installation, masonry, plumbing, metal fastening, air conditioning and refrigeration. The courses will be completed in three-year training cycles, according to organizers.
By: JASMIN BONIMY, The Nassau Guardian
