Minister of Foreign Affairs and Immigration, the Honourable Frederick Mitchell is pictured with Edney Anderson, President of Pineyard Technical Center (left) and two students Terron Campbell and Hilvonia Cash (right) following his address of Pineyard Technical Center luncheon at the Ruby Swiss Restaurant, March 20. (BIS Photo/Philip Curry)

FREEPORT, Grand Bahama – The Bahamian workforce must be competitive if industry is to survive says the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Immigration, the Hon. Frederick A. Mitchell.

Minister Mitchell was addressing a large audience attending Pineyard Technical Center luncheon at the Ruby Swiss Restaurant, March 20.

Mr. Mitchell visits Grand Bahama consistently to deal with Immigration matters and other issues relating to his Ministry. He says that it is an attempt on his part to be sure that in a tangible and physical way, the Government at a political level is seen to be working in Grand Bahama and a part of the whole cloth of The Bahamas.

He noted that these visits allowed him a meet an old friend, Edney D. Anderson, President of Pineyard Technical Center, and was afforded the opportunity to experience the type of training, particularly welding, being offered by that institute.

The Minister encouraged the community’s support for the institute and noted that in his capacity he would commit to engaging the private sector to see how there can be synergies with the work Mr. Anderson is doing so that those who come out of the school can go straight into productive work.

Continuing, he pointed out that Immigration work policies are much discussed in these days as the country struggles to protect the integrity of its work force in the face of international best practices and the globalization of trade.

“It means that the Bahamian worker must be competitive if industry is to survive in Grand Bahama. It is certainly cheaper to hire a Bahamian worker than to import a worker from overseas. My job is to be the gatekeeper of that effort. It is not easy work,” the Minister stated.

Mr. Mitchell stressed that Mr. Anderson preaches about excellence, commitment and consistency to his students. He pointed out that it is training which is most helpful for Grand Bahama where welding is a skill that is being imported into the country from overseas. He noted that relevance of the training to what is required is also important, and that Mr. Anderson is deeply conscious of that need for both training and relevance.

“We need to help him and his team to enable his dream by assuring him of official support, policy support and enabling access to capital for his enterprise.

“It is clear that education is the key to lifting people out of poverty. Jobs are a key social elevator to a better life for our people. It is important then that Mr. Anderson and his school succeed,” Minister Mitchell stated.

He pointed to the success stories of many Bahamians who came from humble beginnings to make this country what it is today. He said our country has a rich legacy, full of hope and courage, and rising up from despair and that Mr. Anderson, his supporters and friends are now working to ensure that legacy.