Education

Youth Thrive Through NTI-AI Programme

Twenty-seven young trainees of the Barbados YouthADVANCE Corps (BYAC) stood proudly in the Courtney Blackman Grand Salle at the National Transformation Initiative’s Advance Initiative (NTI-AI) Graduation Ceremony, on Wednesday, August 28.

Parents and supportive stakeholders joined the graduates in celebrating their transformative journey with NTI-AI that equipped them with essential skills for the future. Described as a “lifeline,” the programme has been credited with enhancing their work-life skills, digital proficiency, and communication abilities that will bolster their technical-vocational training assignments at various institutions.

BTI-AI EXPLAINED

The NTI-AI programme, originally called Technical Vocational Transitional Literacy Programme (TVTLP), continues to embody NTI’s mission of empowering Barbadians through diverse learning opportunities. Led by a new team headed by a Special Education Diagnostician and Literacy Specialist, the programme focused on developing both functional literacy and essential skills needed for personal and professional success, enabling trainees to effectively navigate their chosen technical and vocational career paths. It also featured career tours designed to expose the trainees to various sectors, enhancing their understanding of potential career opportunities.

Allyson Murray, NTI-AI Lead Facilitator, commended the trainees, stating, “The site visits provided a tangible link between theory and practice. We saw you apply the instruction in real-world settings, and for us, this was a testament to your understanding and adaptability.”

PROJECTS SHOWCASED

The ceremony also highlighted creative projects produced by the trainees, showcasing their newly acquired skills in video production, content creation, and digital storytelling. These projects were developed under the guidance of NTI partner TAPP Digital Incorporated, reflecting the diverse capabilities the trainees have developed.

NTI also recognised eight exceptional trainees with Samsung Galaxy Tablets as an encouragement to continue pursuing their lifelong learning, not only for their outstanding performance in the programme, but for exceeding expectations by completing the NTI flagship Citizenship Course as well as taking the initiative to successfully complete multiple NTI-Coursera courses.

EIGHT STARS

The eight STARR Bajan awardees included Devon Atkinson, Rolando Cain, Matthew Goodridge, Jaheim Kellman, Kymara Trotman, Sergio Parris, Ayana Griffith, and Demaril Thorpe.

Demaril Thorpe, NTI-AI Class Ambassador, electrified the room as he shared his reflections on the programme, stating, “The NTI course impacted me a lot; it made me a better communicator… People would tell you to chase your dreams, but I was never a fan of that. I’m someone who has a vision, and I believe you should follow your vision… A dream is something you go to sleep and wake up from.” Thorpe’s commitment to the programme was evident as he completed several NTI courses, including Core Skills, Occupational Safety and Health, Personal Financial Management, and Entrepreneurship, in addition to the Citizenship course. He also completed NTI-Coursera courses such as Introduction to Generative AI and Introduction to Large Language Models.

The interactive keynote address was delivered by Dr. Kevin Greenidge, Governor of the Central Bank of Barbados, who emphasised the importance of setting goals, maintaining a positive mindset, working hard, and giving back. Speaking directly to the graduates about his journey, he said, “You might think that you are there and I am here, and there’s a gulf between us. The only gulf between us is your imagination… Once you can imagine it, you can achieve it.”

Also in attendance were The Hon. Charles Griffith, Minister, Ministry of Youth, Sports, and Community Empowerment and his Permanent Secretary Mrs. Joy Adamson, ; Hally Haynes, Director, Barbados YouthADVANCE Corps; Dr. The Hon. Allyson Leacock, Director, NTI; Mrs. Melissa Nurse-Herbert, BYAC Senior Programme Officer; and Mrs. Markiesha Alleyne, NTI-AI Coordinator.

NTI-AI is a collaboration between the Barbados YouthADVANCE Corps (BYAC) and the National Transformation Initiative (NTI), aimed at equipping young people with the skills and knowledge necessary to excel in their technical and vocational programmes and succeed in a competitive job market. The Central Bank of Barbados has partnered with NTI in facilitating the graduation ceremony over the past two years. (PR/GIS)

CAPTION: Graduands and guests at the National Transformation Initiative’s Advance Initiative (NTI-AI) Graduation Ceremony, recently.

Education

Immigration Webinar For Students Wishing To Study In Canada

Barbadians interested in pursuing studies in Canada are invited to participate in the online Immigration Seminar of the Consulate General of Barbados, in Toronto.

The Consulate, as part of its annual activities to observe National Heroes Day, is hosting a week of activities, and the key event will be the Immigration Seminar tomorrow Thursday, April 24, at 6:00 p.m.

Over the past 12 months, there have been significant changes to the requirements and processes for obtaining an international student visa. As a result, the seminar will focus on the recent changes to the entry requirements for international students coming to Canada to pursue undergraduate or postgraduate studies.

Prospective students, as well as parents, guardians, guidance counsellors, school teachers and principals, who have a vested interest in obtaining the most up-to-date and accurate information to make the most informed choice from the available study options, are encouraged to participate in the online seminar.

Alana Alleyne, a barrister and solicitor, will cover areas such as the latest changes to international student visas, eligibility criteria for student visas, requirements for postgraduate work permits, and changes to eligibility for spousal work permits. (PR/GIS)

Education

Information Session For Teachers Keen On Working In USA

Primary school teachers interested in working in the United States of America (USA) are invited to an upcoming Information Session, tomorrow Thursday, April 24.

The session will be hosted in the Main Conference Room of the Ministry of Labour, Social Security and Third Sector, Warrens Office Complex, Warrens, St. Michael, from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m.

The initiative is being facilitated by the Ministry, in partnership with the Barbados Employment and Career Counselling Service, the Barbados Union of Teachers, and Participate Learning, a USA recruitment firm.

During the event, Participate Learning will share important information on the application and recruitment processes, as well as on working in the USA. (PR/GIS)

Education

Ellerslie Students Welcomed At Barbados’ Embassy In Panama

The Embassy of Barbados in the Republic of Panama was pleased to welcome The Ellerslie School students and staff to its Chancery in Panama City, recently.

Chargé d’Affaires, Sandra Gittens, in her welcome to the group, which included Principal, Andrea Baptiste and Deputy Principal, Carl Applewhaite, shared the history of the mission, noting that the Embassy was established in 2020.

Mrs. Gittens said this was “in line with the Barbados Government’s desire to strengthen its relations and cooperation with Panama across a number of areas, including trade, investment, tourism and education”.

She expressed the hope that the visit would signal the start of a new relationship with The Ellerslie School in pursuit of future student-to-student and teacher-to-teacher exchanges, in collaboration with the Ministries of Educational Transformation and Training and Tertiary Education and its Panamanian counterpart, within the framework of the memorandum of understanding signed between the two countries.

Speaking on the value of learning a foreign language, First Secretary, Shireifa Joseph, spoke of her experience as a foreign language student and the positive impact that it has had on her career.

She encouraged the students to continue their foreign language journey, signalling that they were well on their way to becoming “bridge builders” in their future careers with the capacity to connect Barbados to other countries across the globe.

Counsellor at the Embassy, Michelle Carter, also noted the value of language learning, especially for those studying tourism, stating that developing a strong proficiency in a foreign language will serve as a critical tool in opening doors to their success in this sector, whether in Barbados or abroad. (PR/GIS)

Caption: Students, teachers and parents of the Ellerslie secondary school to the Embassy of Barbados in the Republic of Panama