NASSAU, The Bahamas -- The Hon. Michael Pintard, Minister of Agriculture and Marine Resources announced the launch of the National Divers Training Programme during a press conference at the Ministry’s offices Wednesday, June 5, 2019.

The government through a joint effort between the National Training Agency (NTA), the coordinating agency, the Royal Bahamas Defence Force (RBDF) and the Ministry of Agriculture and Marine Resources Department of Marine Resources will coordinate and conduct a national divers training program to train and certify interested Bahamians between 15 and 30 years old in PADI certification, proper use of air compressors and in so doing develop a cadre of divers to make available to work onboard Bahamian commercial fishing vessels. 

Some of the main objectives are to train Bahamian divers in the use of air compressors for diving purposes; to train Bahamians as certified PADI divers and to train Bahamian divers in first aid and CPR.

The programme, which will be funded by the government, will have five core modules, concluding with a one-month internship onboard a Bahamian registered commercial fishing vessel where they will be exposed to all the practical aspects of the theoretical training they would have already received.

As indicated, the training programme is intended to be national in nature, commencing in New Providence and later moving to the Family Islands. Young Bahamians interested are invited to collect applications from the National Training Agency on Gladstone Road or at the Department of Marine Resources on East Bay Street.

This partnership with the Ministry of Agriculture and Marine Resources highlights the focus of the NTA in assisting with developing competent based curriculum and training that is specific to equipping young Bahamians with the skills necessary to take advantage of opportunities available in the country, said Gadville McDonald executive director of NTA.