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Last Updated: Feb 17, 2017 - 11:47:17 PM |
Prime Minister the Rt. Hon. Perry G. Christie was honoured during the National Training Agency’s ‘Inaugural Ceremony of the Vocational Activities & Convention Centre and the Bestowing of Special Honours’ at the Gladstone Road Business Complex, Thursday, February 16, 2017. Pictured from left: wife of the Prime Minister, Bernadette Christie; Governor General Her Excellency Dame Marguerite Pindling; the Prime Minister; and Executive Director, NTA, Agatha Marcelle.
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Bahamas - Prime Minister the Rt. Hon. Perry G. Christie said that the National Training Agency (NTA) came into being because he wanted young persons who may have had to drop out of school to have a second chance at training so that they could make a difference.
Prime Minister Christie said, “In my own life I had to go through the misfortune as a young boy of being expelled from school and being deemed incapable of attaining an academic education. There was an intervention in my life and I went on to prove that the devil is a liar.”
Chairman, Board of Directors for the Agency, Elizabeth Keju was honoured at the National Training Agency’s ‘Inaugural Ceremony of the Vocational Activities & Convention Centre and the Bestowing of Special Honours’ at the Gladstone Road Business Complex, Thursday, February 16, 2017. Pictured from left: Governor General Her Excellency Dame Marguerite Pindling and the Chairman.
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The Prime Minister was speaking at the NTA’s 'Inaugural Ceremony of the Vocational Activities & Convention Centre and the Bestowing of Special Honours' at the Gladstone Road Business Complex, Thursday, February 16, 2017.
He was honoured for being a visionary leader with a caring, compassionate heart, whose dream and belief in the potential of Bahamians, from all walks of life is manifested through the creation and success of the NTA.
Deputy Chairman, Board of Directors for the Agency, Dr. Cecil Thompson was honoured at the National Training Agency’s ‘Inaugural Ceremony of the Vocational Activities & Convention Centre and the Bestowing of Special Honours’ at the Gladstone Road Business Complex, Thursday, February 16, 2017. Standing from left: Governor General Her Excellency Dame Marguerite Pindling and the Deputy Chairman.
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After receiving the special honour, the Prime Minister said that he chose Agatha Marcelle to be the Executive Director of the Agency because of her background as a Human Resources Specialist. He told the Executive Director that he is proud of the success the Agency has achieved under her leadership along with its Board of Directors.
Minister of Labour and National Insurance and Minister of the Public Service the Hon. Shane Gibson was honoured at the National Training Agency’s ‘Inaugural Ceremony of the Vocational Activities & Convention Centre and the Bestowing of Special Honours’ at the Gladstone Road Business Complex, Thursday, February 16, 2017. Pictured from left: wife of the Minister Gibson, Jacqueline Gibson; Governor General Her Excellency Dame Marguerite Pindling; and Minister Gibson.
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Minister of Labour and National Insurance and Minister of the Public Service the Hon. Shane Gibson was also honoured at the ceremony. He was credited for his unwavering support and commitment to the sustainable growth and development of the Agency and for facilitating its awesome work.
Minister Gibson said, “Over 3,000 young persons have graduated from the NTA, and 68 per cent of them have all been employed as a result of the NTA.”
He explained that back in 2007/8 when he was the Minister of Immigration and Training, the Prime Minister told him that there was a problem with young people having employable skills in The Bahamas. “He said that we have a difficulty with a large number of young people who are unemployed and who cannot find jobs.”
Minister Gibson said the Prime Minister asked him to look into the creation of a National Training Agency and Ms. Marcelle was given a Letter of Appointment to be the Executive Director of the Agency around the same time.
However, after a new government administration was sworn in, plans for the Agency were scrapped.
Minister Gibson said, “When you look at what the NTA was able to accomplish today, you can imagine how much further ahead we would have been if we had started and honoured that letter in 2007. Nonetheless we are here today.”
He also noted that employers such as Diamonds International, Atlantis, One & Only and Breezes were on board from the beginning once they were told the Agency’s mission and they continue to support the Agency and its work.
Also in attendance at the ceremony were Governor General of The Commonwealth of The Bahamas Her Excellency Dame Marguerite Pindling; wife of the Prime Minister, Bernadette Christie; Chairman, Board of Directors for the Agency, Elizabeth Keju and Deputy Chairman, Board of Directors for the Agency, Dr. Cecil Thompson.
© Copyright 2017 by thebahamasweekly.com
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