NASSAU, The Bahamas -- Minister of Education & Technical & Vocational Training the Hon. Glenys Hanna-Martin said that career and technical education (CTE) is paramount to the development of the nation.  

“Therefore, the Ministry of Education is heavily focused on providing students with the tools, skills and opportunities needed to excel in the areas that are in high demand locally and globally,” Minister Hanna-Martin said during the opening ceremony of CTE Month National Exhibition and Career Symposium held at the William Thompson Auditorium on Thursday, February 15, 2024.

She explained that the CTE Exhibition and Career Symposium is an incredible display of the ingenuity of students, the remarkable competency of teachers and administrators, and the Ministry’s commitment to supporting CTE for students throughout The Bahamas.

The Minister said every year during the month of February, career and technical education is celebrated in schools in The Bahamas and throughout the world to recognize the value and achievements of CTE programs.

She explained that this year’s theme, “Every Child Counts; Working Together to Include You” underscores the need for CTE’s students to be successful and inclusive.

The Minister said, “We are incredibly grateful to all of the CTE focused corporate partners and tertiary institutions that have taken the time to be here to encourage skills development and job readiness, ingenuity and innovation in our students.”

She said CTE subjects that are taught in schools throughout the country allow high school students to be job and college ready, to be innovative and to display ingenuity.

Some of these subjects include business, hospitality and tourism studies, robotics, pre-engineering, cosmetology, clothing and construction, carpentry and auto mechanics.

The Minister praised the CTE section in the Ministry of Education & Technical & Vocational Training for ensuring that the curriculum of each of these subjects are industry-based and advanced so that students are able to work immediately after leaving high school.

“The Ministry of Education is continuously working to improve CTE subjects in schools to provide students with industry-based experience and improve the tertiary level educational opportunities.”

She also noted that most recently, The Bahamas high school diploma has been amended to provide three pathways to the diploma one of which includes allowing students who obtain specified international certifications in CTE  subjects to be able to apply those certifications to fulfil certain diploma academic requirements.

Additionally, Minister Hanna-Martin said the Technical Cadet Corps Program is now fully revived and 120 students throughout New Providence were recently inducted.

The Technical Cadet Corps Program was established in 1990 and is a three-year program that offers students entering into the 10th grade an opportunity to increase and develop their technical and business skills.

The Minister said students in that program will be introduced to several disciplines including Mechanical Engineering, television production, water management, building maintenance, air conditioning systems, computer repair and job readiness training.  This program supplements the various subjects taught in schools.

She said the Ministry will continue to improve curriculum, engage new CTE teachers and encourage student involvement in CTE clubs, programs and camps.  

The Minister said, “The importance of CTE cannot be overstated.  Technical and business jobs are in high demand locally and internationally.

“Moreover, tourism is our country’s main industry.  Therefore, it is critical that those students who are enrolled in hospitality and tourism studies at their respective schools are taught and prepared for this crucial industry prior to entering into the job market.”

Some of the corporate partners and educational institutions participating in the exhibit include: The University of The Bahamas, Atlantis, Baha Mar, Royal Caribbean International, Synergy Bahamas, Lowe’s, Doctors Hospital and the Nassau Airport Development Company.

-30-

Minister of Education & Technical & Vocational Training the Hon. Glenys Hanna-Martin gave the keynote address at the opening ceremony of Career and Technical Education (CTE) Month National Exhibition and Career Symposium held at the William Thompson Auditorium on Thursday, February 15, 2024.   

(BIS Photos/Patrice Johnson)