CTI Graduates Another 84 Bright & Promising Local Students

Let’s Celebrate: CTI Graduates Another 84 Bright & Promising Local Students

This summer, honeybees aren’t the only things zipping through the air; so are graduation caps! As we approach the mid-year mark, we are proud to announce that eighty-four bright and hopeful students from Eleuthera have completed courses and graduated from The Centre for Training and Innovation (CTI) so far this year. Since its inception in 2015, CTI has provided hundreds of scholarships to students on Eleuthera, many of whom would not have had access to pursue post-secondary education.

L to R: Cordero Johnson, CTI Dean; Janette Wilson; CTI-HITS Board Representative; Peadra Percentie, CTI-HITS Graduate; Keyron Smith, President and CEO, OEF & CTI

Powered by OEF, CTI offers students relevant, in-demand, and nationally accredited courses taught by qualified local instructors, along with access to scholarships and mentorship. Our satellite school (CTI-HITS) serves students from Harbour Island and North Eleuthera, while the main CTI campus in Rock Sound caters to those from Central and South Eleuthera.

Our 2025 graduates earned professional certificates in a range of high-demand fields. Courses included: Basic Carpentry, Basic Culinary, Introduction to Computers, QuickBooks 1 with Accounting, Entrepreneurship 101: Doing Business in The Bahamas, and Electrical Installation 1 and 2. These courses, which combine theoretical knowledge with practical, hands-on experience, are designed to equip students with the skills they need to succeed in the workforce and address the labor gaps as Eleuthera continues on an upward growth trend.

The guest speaker at the Harbour Island graduation in February was Ben Simmons, the proprietor of Little Island Hotels, which operates a portfolio of high-end boutique hotels in North Eleuthera, including The Other Side, The Ocean View, and The Farm. Ben shared some of his personal and professional insights with the graduates. He encouraged the students to “start small and scale up” and to view challenges as opportunities for growth, stating, “Your greatest obstacle is your last success, and your greatest lesson is your biggest failure.” His powerful message resonated with the graduates, reinforcing the importance of resilience and continuous learning. At the Rock Sound graduation held in May, local pastor and motivational speaker Diallo Ingraham congratulated the students on their achievements and urged them to continue investing in themselves and to diligently prepare for both the responsibilities and opportunities that lie ahead.

The 2025 Graduating Class of CTI from South Eleuthera is prepared and excited to embrace the new opportunities education affords

A CTI education extends beyond technical training, offering mentorship and character development that prepares students for employment and positions them to make meaningful contributions to their communities.

As the demand for skilled professionals in fields like construction, hospitality, and entrepreneurship increases, CTI remains at the forefront of providing vital training and certification to meet these needs and support the island’s economic growth and community development. Through CTI, students of all ages are confidently pursuing professional goals and greater entrepreneurial success without having to leave their island home.

Addressing the students, Keyron Smith, President and CEO highlighted that the true value of education lies in its capacity to shape the leaders, problem-solvers, and changemakers who will drive Eleuthera’s future. He emphasized, “It is not just about recognizing your hard work and dedication; it’s also about celebrating the kind of people you’re becoming.”