NASSAU, The Bahamas – “If not for this programme, I would be involved in an activity that is contrary to my life’s mission."

“This programme is saving me from a life of crime.”

“I’m doing this for my daughter.”

Gadville McDonald, Executive Director, National Training Agency (NTA), shared these moving testimonials of graduates of Cohort 1 of the Government’s Citizens Security and Justice Programme (CSJP) during the graduation ceremony, Saturday, November 17, 2018 at the NTA, Gladstone Road.

Mr. McDonald said there was much to be celebrated as not only are these individuals sharpened in necessary skills for the workforce but there are many stories of intrinsic motivation and transformation that have resulted from the intensive training, coaching and assessment.

Two hundred and seventy-eight trainees successfully completed four weeks of soft skills training in 17 areas including Attitude Management, Governing Yourself in the Workplace, Customer Service, Communications, Job Preparation, the Power of Choices, Team Work, Commitment, Persistence and Self Control, and Remedial Education in Numeracy and Literacy.

The contract to initiate training for the first cohort was signed five weeks ago between the NTA and the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB). The objective is to reduce crime, violence and contribute to the interest of safety and security in The Bahamas.  CSJP takes a comprehensive approach to reducing crime and violence by targeting the following:

1. Improving behaviors for non-violent conflict resolutions
2. Increasing employability and employment of vulnerable youth
3. Strengthening the institutional capacities of justice services
4. Decreasing the recidivism rate among the incarcerated.

The students will now begin training in their chosen technical disciplines which cover areas including hospitality, retail skills and customer service.

Dorcas Cox, Project Manager, CSJP, urged the graduates to take the values, tools, systems and resources that they have learned with them because they are necessary on the remaining steps of their journey.

Michael Nelson, Chief of Operations, Inter-American Development Bank (IDB), expressed appreciation for IDBs involvement in the training. He encouraged the graduates to continue to overcome the challenges on their journey to success.

 “We will be here throughout your journey. We are so proud of you. The loans that we give to the Government of The Bahamas, the interest goes back into the community. It is reinvested into our country.  We are here to support the development of The Bahamas and for moments like this,” said Mr. Nelson.

Eugene Poitier, Permanent Secretary, said the Ministry of National Security recognized that the high youth unemployment rates may put some people at risk for becoming involved in criminal and violent activities and some young people are facing significant challenges that prevent them from finding employment.

He remarked that potential investors look not only at infrastructure development but at levels of skill set, education, and if there is a critical mass of qualified people to fill the jobs they need.

“We are catching vulnerable youths at the beginning of the process and those in remand at Bahamas Correctional Services. We are changing the focus of that from penal to rehabilitation,” said Mr. Poitier.

He noted that a recent employability survey conducted by the CSJP, as part of the targeting and enrollment programme, indicated that around 42 percent of respondents did not receive a high school diploma, 36 per cent are single parents and may be raising a child of their own, and roughly 5 percent have had previous infractions with the law.

Mr. Poitier said programmes like the CSJP seek to improve employment opportunities for vulnerable youth who might otherwise be considered unemployable.

Moreover, an “enhanced” public employment system at the Department of Labour will also improve opportunities for trainees to connect with potential employers and assist them in finding permanent employment.

He said, “We have a combination of job skills training, work experience and job search support network. This triad is an excellent demonstration of a comprehensive approach to equipping young people with [what is] necessary to find a job and maintain employment. It’s all about choice theory.”