Educators’ Industry Internship Program 2017

On Monday, July 17th, the Ministry of Education, Science & Technology, in conjunction with the Ministry of Tourism & Aviation, and the Bahamas Hotel & Tourism Association (BHTA), held an opening ceremony for the Educators’ Industry Internship Program at Castaways Resort & Suites on Grand Bahama Island.

Under the theme "Creating A Pathway For The Next Generation: Entrepreneurship & Mentoring," the three-day program will engage a total of twenty teachers who wish to expand their knowledge of the tourism industry for the improvement of their classroom.

Ultimately, the participants will experience working at several participating industry establishments which include: the Pelican Bay Hotel, H. Forbes Charter, Pirates Cove, Island Seas Resort, Castaways Resort & Suites, Grand Bahama Nature Tours, the Perfume Factory, and Taino Beach Resorts.

Latasha Allen, Workforce Development Coordinator, BHTA, said that as "The program seeks to mend the gap between the workplace and the classroom, we send teachers out in the industry to get a hands-on of what it's all about". 

The program, which has been offered in Grand Bahama Island for the past seven years, has become an outlet for educators to learn how to better guide their students along career paths that will further contribute to the number one industry in The Bahamas.

As a result of the educators’ participation in the industry internship, upon completion of the program, all participants will be able to successfully share about their real-time experience in the service industry in the upcoming school year.

Karenda S. Swain, Assistant Manager, Training & Education Department, Ministry of Tourism & Aviation, Grand Bahama, said that "Often times, our students are not sure what career path they should be taking and some individuals have a tendency to shy away from professions in the tourism sector, therefore when teachers are exposed to these areas, and they are in the classroom with their students, they're able to better guide them".

Gaylene J. Pinder, Sr. Education Officer, Ministry of Education, Science & Technology said that "We think that it is important that teachers can close the gap between the theory and actual practical. We have teachers from primary schools and high schools, not just in hospitality but in all different types of subjects and they want a new experience to see exactly what happens in our tourism industry".

Gaylene Pinder, Sr. Education Officer, Ministry of Education, Science & Technology

As the teachers’ job is to train their students and shape their career, with first-hand experience garnered through the industry internship program, each teacher can better instruct their students toward a career in tourism.

The Educators’ Industry Internship Program will close on Friday, July 21st, 2017 with a presentation of certificates.