![\"btvi\"](\"https:\/\/www.bahamasb2b.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/03\/btvi1.jpg\")
<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
As the Government Printing Department (GPD) prepares to celebrate its 41st anniversary this Friday, history would reflect that what it has evolved into began as an apprenticeship program at The Nassau Technical Centre (NTC) The Bahamas Technical and Vocational Institute (BTVI).<\/p>\n
BTVI\u2019s Manager and Consultant, Dr. Iva Dahl expressed pride that the Government Printing Department originated on the campus of what is BTVI today. The GDP is rresponsible for the stationery and printing for all government ministries and departments.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt is with a depth of pride that we recognize the role the training and production printing department at NTC played in the apprenticeship program.\u00a0 The initial six apprentices became fully-trained printers and were instrumental in the advancement of the Government Printing department,\u201d she stated<\/p>\n
Dr. Dahl acknowledged the \u201clegacy of craftsmanship\u201d the department has built, adding: \u201cThat craftsmanship has become the benchmark of their success, from the printing of programs to the Acts and Statutory Instruments.\u00a0 Entrusted with the printing of all government documents over these four decades of distinction, the organization has positioned itself as a leader in printing, evolving with technological advances.\u201d<\/p>\n
The initial six apprentices who were part of the transition included: Teddy Simmons, Brentley Ferguson, Ken Ferguson, Larry Vanderpool, Ruby Hepburn and Burdina Taylor.<\/p>\n
Meanwhile, the department\u2019s Director noted that the GDP has a rich history.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe have had our successes and challenges. We have all the elements of a good story \u2013 character, setting, themes and conflicts,\u201d said Mr. Humes.<\/p>\n
\u201cMany government institutions today were not back then.\u00a0 Where was COB or the Defence Force?\u201d questioned Mr. Humes, adding that \u201cThe 41-year evolutionary of the Government Printing Department runs in rough parallel to the history of the modern Bahamas.\u201d<\/p>\n
From the initial correspondence on December 9th, 1968 between The Bahamas government and New York print industry consultant Carl Auerhach to conduct a survey for government printing, to the apprenticeship program at the NTC\u2019s Soldier Road campus, Mr. Humes noted that there were \u201cintense deliberations.\u201d<\/p>\n
Among key players then were Deputy Prime Minister, Arthur D. Hanna; Hugh Frazer, Establishment Secretary; J. R. Flint, NTC Principal and a Mr. Fletcher, an experienced printing instructor at NTC.<\/p>\n
As a result of increased volumes of printing, it was recommended on March 13th, 1970 that the apprenticeship program become a full-blown government printing press with an official superintendent and by 1972, it was moved to quarters outside of NTC.\u00a0 Today, it is located across the street from BTVI on Soldier Road.<\/p>\n
Furthermore, although not a member of the original six apprentices, Shirley Walker-Ferguson joined the team on January 14th, 1974 and for the past 40 years has watched the department\u2019s growth.<\/p>\n
\u201cI saw us move from the press to the printer stage.\u00a0 We still use the press but also have modern equipment.\u00a0 From forms, booklets and official funeral programs and all the business of parliament, the government saves a lot of money in terms of printing. It\u2019s done here,\u201d she stated.<\/p>\n
Beginning as a printing press composer and rising to supervisor of the department, Ms. Walker-Ferguson said there were many long nights.\u00a0 \u201cWe had to pull all-nighters, especially with the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting where one night went into the other night. The printer was set up at the hotel,\u201d she reminisced.<\/p>\n
\u201cBut what keeps us going is we want to see the final product,\u201d she added.<\/p>\n
Veteran printer, Philip Major concurred, adding that he has enjoyed the printing business over the past 38 years.\u00a0 Mr. Major said: \u201cSometimes there are long nights, but I continue because I love working with the machinery. I love the trade.\u201d<\/p>\n
The Bahamas Technical and Vocational Institute (BTVI)<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n VETERAN PRINTERS \u2013 Printers Philip Major and Shirley Walker-Ferguson have worked at the Government Printing Department for 38 and 40 years respectively.\u00a0 They both have watched the department\u2019s growth over the decades.<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" As the Government Printing Department (GPD) prepares to celebrate its 41st anniversary this Friday, history would reflect that what it has evolved into began as an apprenticeship program at The Nassau Technical Centre (NTC) The Bahamas Technical and Vocational Institute (BTVI).<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":17,"featured_media":56464,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"rop_custom_images_group":[],"rop_custom_messages_group":[],"rop_publish_now":"initial","rop_publish_now_accounts":{"facebook_10223285771444175_51037792744":""},"rop_publish_now_history":[],"rop_publish_now_status":"pending","footnotes":""},"categories":[15],"tags":[21,325,296],"class_list":["post-56463","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-tech","tag-educational","tag-jobs","tag-students"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.bahamasb2b.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/56463","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.bahamasb2b.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.bahamasb2b.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.bahamasb2b.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/17"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.bahamasb2b.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=56463"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.bahamasb2b.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/56463\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.bahamasb2b.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/56464"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.bahamasb2b.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=56463"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.bahamasb2b.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=56463"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.bahamasb2b.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=56463"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}