FREEPORT, Grand Bahama -- With its continuing goal of transforming Grand Bahama into “Silicon Island” and the Technology Hub of The Bahamas, the Office of the Prime Minister in Grand Bahama has joined forces with the YMCA to launch a computer coding, ICT skills development Program.

For Minister of State for Grand Bahama, and one of the visionaries of Grand Bahama as a Technology Hub, Senator Kwasi Thompson said launch of the YMCA’s program is yet another step in the progress of realizing the dream of the Second City becoming a Tech Hub.

“We are pleased to work with the YMCA to make this program possible, which will expose 100 young people to software development and coding skills, which are the essentials for the technology industry,” said Minister Thompson, who officially launched the program on Saturday, November 24, 2018, at the YMCA.

“The importance of this program is proven in the fact that technology will be needed in every single profession, so I [encourage] you young people to continue pursuing whatever dreams you may have, but do it through the lens that technology is going to give you an added advantage, when it comes to your respective professions.  And the earlier you are exposed to it, the better.”

Those taking part in the computer coding, ICT skills development program will benefit in two ways – not only will they have the opportunity to receive ICT or technology training, but they will be provided with more possibilities and opportunities for their future.

The Minister said that the “sky is the limit, when you are exposed to technology.”

Minister Thompson encouraged the first phase of students for the YMCA computer coding, ICT skills development program to take the opportunity seriously and to take full advantage of it. He urged them to complete the program (which, when fully completed, will run for four years) and be anxious to put in practice all that they have learned to not only obtain employment, but to change their island, their country and positively affect the world.

The YMCA Coding, ICT Computer program is set to begin in a few days, with classes taking place at the YMCA.