NASSAU, The Bahamas — Before establishing the National Training Programme (NTP), the Government questioned whether it should borrow money from others to give Bahamians handouts, or train persons and give them a hand up.
During the NTP Small Business Exhibition at the Mall at Marathon on Friday, Minister of Labour and Social Development Senator the Hon Dion Foulkes said, “We (the Government) decided to put our faith in the Bahamian workers.”
Firstly, Senator Foulkes said the Government created the Unemployment Benefits Programme, which put millions of dollars in assistance into the hands of Bahamians. Then the Government allocated $250,000 in the 2009/2010 Budget for a NTP, he explained.
“The Government wanted, to the greatest extent possible, for citizens of The Bahamas to earn a living,” Senator Foulkes said.
“This skills training programme would prepare persons for available jobs within the country.
“Further, we secured funds to assist persons who wished to establish small businesses at the completion of their training; and it pleases me to see how many people decided to become their own boss.”
He congratulated those who decided to become entrepreneurs saying that they took the initiative to enrol in the NTP, did the courses, submitted a business plan, did the work, kept persevering and are now showcasing their efforts at the Mall.
Khaalis Rolle, chairman, National Training Programme and president, the Bahamas Chamber of Commerce said when he sat down and reviewed exactly what was being proposed with the NTP, he thought it was a wonderful idea. He added that the International Labour Organisation looked at the programme and thought it was one of the greatest interventions in the region in response to the economic crisis.
The owner of a small business, Mr Rolle told the budding entrepreneurs present that he has spent most of his Chamber of Commerce presidency talking about small business development because he understands the need for people to be independent.
“I understand the need for people to be able to provide for themselves, and the fact you are here today indicates you understand that same need,” he said. Sharon Thomas, proprietor of Sharon’s Unique Shell Craft and graduate of the NTP said the Government took the initiative and gave them an opportunity to go out there and provide for themselves rather than just looking to work for someone else.
“Instead of us becoming employees, we can become future employers one-day,” she said. Terran Ferguson, president, NTP Entrepreneur Association said the programme helped to build character, relationships and boosted the participants’ self-esteem.
“This programme changed my life,” Mr Ferguson said.
“I came from the hotel where I was working for somebody. When I came out I said to myself, ‘I will work for no one no more.'” He said through the programme he discovered that he had a great talent in landscaping and bought equipment with help from the grant given by the Government started his own business.
“Everybody out there can do the same thing. It is not what you can do by yourself; it is what you can do when you go out there and ask for help and let somebody else give you the hand up,” Mr Ferguson said.
By Llonella Gilbert
By Bahamas Information Services
