Students who sign up for the Barbados Construction Gateway Training Initiative (BCGTI) will find it “an exciting opportunity for learning a new skill and becoming certified” in their area of choice.
This was underscored today by Principal at the Barbados Community College (BCC) Annette Alleyne, as she addressed the launch of the initiative at the Samuel Jackman Prescod Institute of Technology (SJPI) and called on all Barbadians to apply.
The initiative aims to upskill the population, train artisans, and ensure that a new core of male and female workers are available to fill various construction jobs.
While pointing out that the BCC had always been known for ensuring that training and education met societal needs, embracing community engagement and providing second chances, Ms. Alleyne stressed the institution was honoured to be a part of the “game-changing collaboration that would touch the lives of many, many Barbadians”.
Commending the partnership with the SJPI, the BVTB, the Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) Council and the National Transformation Initiative (NTI), the principal disclosed that of the 24 courses on offer, the BCC would be delivering training in nine of these areas.
Ms. Alleyne, also stressed the need for more females in the construction industry. She recalled: “For the majority of the programmes at BCC relating to the construction industry, I must say there are mainly male applicants. And, just to give an example, we recently completed training in the Photovoltaic Installation – Electrical Technician Level 3 NVQ certificate. Of the 78 persons trained, 77 were men, one female.
“And, I want to be clear; we are encouraging the men and the boys to come out and apply; we want those high numbers… We do want you to apply in your numbers but I am also sending out an appeal for women and girls. This opportunity is also for you.”