by: Terann McKenzie
When I made the decision to relocate to Eleuthera, it was more than a professional move; it was a deliberate step toward purpose. I knew I wasn’t just changing my address—I was changing the direction of my life. I joined the team at the One Eleuthera Foundation to serve as the Dean of Training and Innovation at the Centre for Training and Innovation, with a clear goal: to help create lasting pathways for learning, opportunity, and empowerment that will reach every corner of this tranquil island.
Rediscovering Home
It didn’t take me long to remember why Eleuthera is so special. My connection to this island runs deep. As a child, I spent Summers here, exploring its shores and enjoying its easy rhythm of life. Later, as a young adult, I returned for vacations, drawn again by the warmth of the people and the quiet magic that seems to live in every settlement. Those memories came flooding back when I arrived, a reminder that Eleuthera is not just beautiful—it is home in the truest sense.
The Generational Impact of Trades
With family roots on the island, I’ve seen firsthand how having a trade can change a person’s life. It’s more than a means of employment. For many, it is a foundation for independence and entrepreneurship. Skilled hands have built homes, supported families, and sustained communities across Eleuthera for generations. Although I was blessed with the opportunity to travel abroad to pursue my education, I have never lost sight of the value of practical skills. A trade can open doors that formal education alone sometimes cannot. It provides stability, pride, and a legacy that extends beyond one individual.
Bridging the Education Gap in the Family Islands
Yet, like many of our Family Islands, Eleuthera continues to face the challenge of limited access to higher and continuing education. Too many bright, talented Bahamians must leave their home island to find opportunities elsewhere. When this happens, we lose not only skilled workers but also mentors, role models, and community builders who make our islands strong. That reality is precisely why I am here—to help bridge that gap and ensure the people of this extraordinary island can access the tools they need to thrive, right where they are.
A Mission Rooted in Empowerment
The One Eleuthera Foundation has long championed educational advancement on the island. Founded on principles of community empowerment, sustainability, and equity, its mission is to create opportunities for Bahamians to thrive where they live and to ensure Eleutherans are not just participants in development, but leaders and beneficiaries of it.
Centre for Training and Innovation: Where Trades Meet Modern Problem-Solving
At the heart of this movement is the Centre for Training and Innovation, One Eleuthera Foundation’s education and workforce development arm. CTI was created to respond to a critical need: the gap between traditional education and the practical skills required in today’s Bahamian economy. It is a place where hands-on trades meet creativity, applied learning, and solution-driven thinking—where education is rooted not just in theory, but in confidence building through real-world application.
Expanding Access, Unlocking Local Potential
My role as Dean is to expand access to continuing and vocational education across Eleuthera in practical, inclusive, and transformative ways. This means blending technical trades training with knowledge-based theories, entrepreneurship, and innovation. It means ensuring residents do not have to leave home to gain nationally recognized certifications or pursue meaningful careers.
Innovation Grounded in Local Reality
For us, innovation goes beyond technology. True innovation means creative problem-solving built on local realities and mindset shifts that emphasize potential over perceived limitations. Our goal is to equip Eleutherans to build, manage, and innovate for themselves, reducing dependence on outside labor while strengthening the island’s capacity for self-reliance.
Strengthening Eleuthera’s Economic Foundation Through Skills
Whether it’s training local electricians to install solar energy systems, helping artisans scale to global digital markets, or supporting small business owners with bookkeeping fundamentals, every new skill learned strengthens the foundation of the island economy. To date, more than 600 students have graduated from the Centre for Training and Innovation, earning NAECOB-accredited and nationally recognized certifications. As a Small Island Developing State, The Bahamas relies heavily on a few key sectors—tourism, banking, fisheries, and public service—making it difficult to absorb all job seekers, particularly high school graduates entering the workforce each year. The development of technical and vocational education and training is therefore essential for increasing local employability and advancing sustainable economic growth.
Building Human Infrastructure for the Future
Education is the bridge between what is and what can be. Through the One Eleuthera Foundation, the CTI campus in Rock Sound, and the satellite training hub on Harbour Island, we will continue to bridge gaps and create pathways for success—one learner, one skill, and one community at a time. By investing in people and practical skills, we are building the human infrastructure required for sustainable development, stronger communities, and a future where opportunity thrives without displacing home.
by: Terran McKenzie
