ELEUTHERA, BAHAMAS — On May 10th, the Centre for Training and Innovation’s Harbour Island Trade School (CTI-H.I.T.S.) program celebrated the graduation of 42 students in North Eleuthera. Each student successfully completed a nine-week course of study focused on one of four, high-demand technical programs in Basic Culinary, Carpentry, Electrical Installation, and Advanced Electrical.
“CTI-H.I.T.S. is pleased to offer ongoing skills training programs to young people in our community. The skills acquired by our students will undoubtedly open new doors, improve job advancement outcomes and create entrepreneurship opportunities now and into the future,” commented Ms. Banu Devi-Nair, Academic Dean for the Centre for Training and Innovation (CTI.) “This of course would not be possible without the generous support and faithful partnership of our program donors, the Friends of H.I.T.S”.
The graduation ceremony took place outdoors at the Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church on Harbour Island. Mr. Lane Glaze, President of the One Eleuthera Foundation of the U.S. provided welcoming remarks and Mr. Ryan Austin delivered the keynote address.
As a successful entrepreneur and proprietor of The COCOA Coffee House in both Harbour Island and Nassau, Mr. Austin encouraged the students to stay keenly focused on developing their desired businesses. He admonished the students to “mind their business,” and to continuously cultivate excellence in every undertaking.
“I am a business owner, and thus, for fear of failure, I must ‘mind my business’. Whether that’s ensuring customers are served a quality product, or ensuring great relationships with my vendors, or even if I am making a sandwich myself. I consider each individual role as my business, and so I must put pride into my work and give it 100% and then some,” said Mr. Austin.
As a core partner and the official education and training arm of the One Eleuthera Foundation (OEF), CTI is the first and only post secondary, non-profit, training and business enterprise institution in The Bahamas.
Despite the variety of challenges imposed by COVID-19 over the last year, CTI continues to adapt and thrive offering a viable path to economic empowerment for residents.
In 2020, notwithstanding face-to-face learning restrictions, 93 students throughout Eleuthera successfully completed skills training programs through CTI diversifying their income streams and strengthening the local economy.
“We are so very proud of all our students and in particular this class of graduates for their diligent effort and hard work, which has certainly paid off. They have persevered and embraced the opportunity to retool themselves for career success,”cited Ms. Devi-Nair.
“Recognizing that skills training programs are a critical lifeline, CTI is preparing to roll out a robust and newly expanded course offering to capitalize on current marketplace opportunities and help Eleutherans adapt to the changing economic landscape.”
For more information on upcoming courses, and CTI’s Online Courses on its Virtual Campus which offers Professional Development, Workforce, Business Essential and and Soft Skills Training call:242-815-3800, email:
CTI@oneeleuthera.org or visit: https://oneeleuthera.myvirtualcampus.co/
