The Centre for Training and Innovation (CTI) is proud to announce the appointment of Tiffany Bain as the new Dean of Continuing Education and Workforce Development. This fall, Ms. Bain joined the CTI team and has been on the ground in Eleuthera, spearheading CTI’s program expansion and student development and acquisition plans.
CTI is Eleuthera’s first and only postsecondary, non-profit education and training institution providing students with the opportunity to gain valuable skills and learn at home. As One Eleuthera Foundation’s (OEF) education arm, CTI’s mission is to develop students through education and technical training, empowering them to build a strong foundation and pathway to personal success. Students are able to qualify for scholarships and complete NAECOB-accredited programs to gain employment, advance their careers, and launch into entrepreneurship.
Joining the team, Ms. Bain brings a wealth of expertise. Her educational background is both diverse and comprehensive. She is a distinguished alumna with a Bachelor of Arts in International Relations and Affairs from Bethune-Cookman University, a Postgraduate Certificate in Education, Curriculum, and Pedagogy from the University of Southern Queensland, and a Master of Science in Non-Profit/Public/Organizational Management and Youth Development from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln.
Commenting on her appointment, Keyron Smith, President and CEO of One Eleuthera Foundation cites, “Ms. Bain’s extensive background in education, combined with her academic accomplishments and passion for reaching and uplifting communities through education, makes her the ideal candidate for this role and seamlessly aligns with CTI’s mission to educate, elevate and empower Eleutherans. She is a strong addition to the team and is poised to play a pivotal role in shaping the future of education at CTI and on the island.”
Reflecting on her decision to join CTI, Ms. Bain explains, “In a country where many of the people look the same, we can often take for granted the need for diversity, equity, and inclusion practices in education. I am excited to be working for a Bahamian-centred community development organization where I can contribute to developing education programming that meets the needs of students and our current demographic.” She further cites, “Technical and vocational training can provide social and economic advancement, allowing young people from underserved communities to leverage greater opportunities.
Technical and vocational training serves as a cornerstone for uplifting communities, building industries, and driving economic development in the country.
With 42 students currently enrolled, Tiffany sees exponential growth in CTI’s near future, “Our current goal is four courses per semester across two campuses. I am incredibly excited about this semester’s courses because they feel like my babies. I am proud to say that we are running our projected number of classes, with each class meeting its enrollment quota. On Harbour Island (north) we are running QuickBooks I and a special Entrepreneurship course specifically designed for CTI alum. At the Rock Sound campus in the south, we are running two Learn and Earn programs – Basic Culinary and Carpentry, which are progressing very well.
Statistically, CTI maintains a higher-than-average student retention and course completion rate than traditional tertiary institutions. The mean graduation rate is 96%, largely due to the strategic development and delivery of the school’s in-demand courses. Ms. Bain plans to spend the next few months canvassing communities across Eleuthera to reach and retain new students and gain a clear understanding of their career aspirations.
Simultaneously, she will also glean insight into local businesses’ needs and the existing skills gaps, ensuring that CTI’s programs remain relevant, mutually beneficial and impactful.
“Before accepting my new role with CTI, I worked with organizations and within school partnerships, as I wanted to understand more deeply what charter schools could look like in The Bahamas. That journey has led me to both appreciate and commit to an educational model centred around the Bahamian culture and economy with the genuine goal of advancing people. This remains my professional philosophy in how I design, facilitate, and develop programming here at CTI,” she explains.
Technical and vocational training serves as a cornerstone for uplifting communities, building industries, and driving economic development in the country. Since 2015, CTI has trained over 300 students on Eleuthera, most of whom would not have had access to any level of post-secondary education. By tailoring courses to the specific labor needs on the island, CTI has been a driving force in fostering economic growth while empowering students to meaningfully contribute to their households, communities and the local economy. As communities become hubs of skilled professionals and thriving enterprises, there is a cascading effect on economic development. As the new Dean, CTI looks forward to Ms. Bain enriching its educational programs and reinforcing the organization’s commitment to diversity, equity, and innovation in local education.
