By ANGELO ARMBRISTER

Freeport News Reporter

angelo@nasguard.com

The Bahamas Technical and Vocational Institute (BTVI) will embark on a series of informative events to commemorate its annual Career and Technical Education Week, in an effort to raise greater awareness of the role technical education plays in the further development of Grand Bahama, The Bahamas and the world.

March 27 through April 1 has been designated BTVI's 6th annual Career and Technical Education Week.

BTVI coordinator Fred Delancy said the series of events — including the opening ceremony on March 28 at Our Lucaya Resort, a Youth Summit and Career fair as well as a Technical Education and trade show, among other things — are geared toward: exposing the many programmes, services and the good quality skills acquired by trainees at BTVI; to create an awareness of the career opportunities available through technical education and promote BTVI as an institute, where trainees participate in the total educational experience.

On Saturday, April 1, plans are being made to officially launch the BTVI Pineridge Urban Renewal Training Programme.

Mr. Delancy said the mission of BTVI is to produce highly skilled individuals with strong work ethics, noting that more effort must be placed on persons acquiring the knowledge and skills necessary to become marketable in the workplace.

"BTVI Grand Bahama has committed itself to providing The Northern Bahamas with the best quality technical and total educational experience possible, to enable residents to become better and more productive, responsible members of society," he said. "In this regard, Bahamas Technical and Vocational Institute, Grand Bahama, has accepted the responsibility to create a greater awareness of the role that technical education plays towards the further development of Grand Bahama and The Bahamas."

The Career and Technical Education exhibition, he said, is one avenue to convince students to make technical education a priority, as it will afford high school students a rare opportunity to actively participate in round table discussions with industry representatives and technical education teachers to discuss career opportunities.

Mr. Delancy said the Career and Technical Week Education is a great opportunity to get young people, particularly young males exposed to career opportunities that could put them on the right track and make them productive members of society.

He noted that the Freeport Container Port, the Grand Bahama Shipyard and the Grand Bahama Power Company are always seeking qualified individuals to become a part of their organizations.

BTVI, he said, has the programmes in place to prepare the individuals for rewarding careers at those organizations.