NASSAU, BAHAMAS — A Cabinet Minister said yesterday that the need for a National Apprenticeship Programme is significant given the prevailing sentiment across the country regarding the decline in overall work ethic and attitudes in the workplace.
Labour and Public Service Minister Pia Glover-Rolle, while leading off debate on the bill in Parliament, described the legislation as a crucial step in laying the groundwork for a National Apprenticeship Programme. This program aims to provide certified, employee-recognized, paid training and development opportunities in high-demand fields, and it is set to be launched before the end of the year.
“Through this Programme, this Administration is empowering Bahamians to gain the skills and experience necessary to embark on lifelong and fulfilling careers, permanently changing the national approach to training and apprenticeships,” she stated.
“The National Apprenticeship Programme will bring to fruition the true essence of public-private partnerships on a national scale. We aren’t wasting any time because we know how urgently this nation needs a National Apprenticeship Programme. We have expedited all related work with an expected launch well before the year’s end. We will begin with a pilot program that will train Bahamians for high-demand roles within the Maritime sector, where we believe there are growing opportunities for Bahamian men and women.”
Glover-Rolle emphasized the pressing need for the program, citing HR managers and employers across the country who continue to lament what they describe as a decline in overall work ethic and attitudes.
“This is concerning because of the relationship between productivity and economic growth. To become less productive at a time when global productivity is growing at an astronomical rate does not bode well for our future economic vitality and competitiveness,” she noted.
According to Minister Glover-Rolle, the program will consist of two phases. The first is government-provided and funded Pre-Apprenticeship training delivered through existing training providers.
“In recognition of the need for socio-cultural change, the Pre-Apprenticeship training will include academic skills, financial skills education, mental health support, and soft skills training, as well as job-specific technical training. The Programme will support an integrated country-wide approach to training, including existing training and educational agencies and institutions like the NTA, BTVI, UB, and private sector partners. Upon completion of the Pre-Apprenticeship component, trainees will proceed to their respective apprenticeship arrangements with employers.”
“In addition to the Maritime sector, target industries will include Health & Allied Services, where we have identified a labor shortage in all areas. Construction and Auto-Mechanics will be targeted areas of training. Hospitality and Tourism obviously have a significant role to play as the number one industry in the country. Finally, Information Communication Technology training will be available to prepare Bahamians for this rapidly growing sector,” she noted.
The Apprenticeship Bill outlines the laws, regulations, and governance structure of the National Apprenticeship Programme, and sets up the National Apprenticeship Board and its functions, which include developing the institutional framework, reviewing the budget, evaluating the program, and making necessary recommendations for improvement, among other responsibilities. The legislation will also establish the National Apprenticeship Unit and the Sector Skills Councils. The Bill also outlines the process for the registration of apprenticeship agreements, probationary periods, suspensions, the rate of pay allowed, the hours of work allowed, and the keeping of apprenticeship records, including financial records and evaluations, among other key areas. The legislation also allows inspectors who will be able to enter any premises where an apprentice has been employed to examine relevant records – once reasonable notice and notification of arrival has been given and written evidence of their status as inspectors is supplied when requested.
The Bahamas Chamber of Commerce’s labour division chair said yesterday that the planned National Apprenticeship Programme will end employer complaints about the country’s workforce’s lack of skills and certification.
Peter Goudie, commenting on the Apprenticeship Bill 2024, told Eyewitness News, “The entire journey of an apprenticeship program has been in the works for a number of years but got derailed because of Dorian and the pandemic. Now, we have gotten back on track, and the bill is so important because it sets a world standard. We have done all the work with the International Labour Organization, which sets minimum standards for apprenticeship programs, and we followed all that. We worked with them, and they came here to Nassau a few times.”
He continued, “The program is so important because the unemployment rate for youth is huge, and we need to get these youth the skills they need and get them certified. They will get certified and be able to get jobs, and employers won’t have concerns about their skills and certifications. It’s a huge positive. It’s super positive news. It was just good vibes. I am a very happy camper, to say the least, as was the minister. It’s been a long road, but we’re ready to go. It’s not a controversial bill; it’s a positive bill. We have already done preliminary work and just need the bill to pass so we can have the money allocated to the program.”
