Considered one of the leading skills development organizations, City and Guilds provides training services to a variety of sectors to meet the needs of today’s workforce. Its qualifications are valued by employers across the globe.
BTVI completed and submitted a detailed application, and in mid-March hosted a site audit at its New Providence campus as a part of the accreditation process. In addition, there was recently a faculty training at the Grand Bahama campus, which will be followed by one in New Providence later in the year.
BTVI’s President, Dr. Robert W. Robertson said it is significant that City and Guilds offers a wide range of vocational qualifications in several occupational areas. These range across eight levels, from entry to high-order, designed for cross border employment.
“Securing this accreditation is an important statement of the quality of our course offerings, our graduates and the institution as a whole. This is a proud moment for BTVI. It is a notable achievement that speaks volumes for our team,” said Dr. Robertson.
“I also think it would cause BTVI to be even more attractive to prospective students. We live in a globally connected world and we want our students to be at an advantage wherever they go, and of course City and Guilds is internationally recognized,” he added.
City and Guilds Internal Verifier, Professor Gossett Oliver provided a two-day training workshop to instructors of the Freeport Container Port program. The apprentices are being prepared by BTVI in conjunction with the Freeport Container Port, to sit the City and Guilds Level 3 Diploma in Engineering Maintenance, Installation and Commissioning.
The apprentices started the program in October 2017. They are preparing to sit the first two exams - Unit 301 Engineering Health and Safety and Unit 302 Engineering principles within the next few months.
BTVI’s Vice President of the Northern Campus, Veronica Collie said with the exams not far away, there was an “urge” to have the internal verifier on the campus. Professor Oliver also took a tour of the campus, viewing labs that will be used by the apprentices. Also on hand were Dr. Robertson and BTVI’s Dean of Construction Trades and Workforce Development, Alexander Darville, who assisted with the development of the program.
Dr. Robertson extended thanks to Ms. Collie, Mr. Darville and BTVI’s Associate vice President of Academic Affairs, Leroy Sumner for their hard work in compiling the necessities for the application’s review and managing the entire process.
“I also would like to thank the chairs of our trade areas and faculty in Nassau, many of whom met individually with the auditor. As the auditor concluded his visit earlier in March, he noted how pleased he was with the commitment of the BTVI team and the work being completed throughout the institution,” he stated.
”Our goal is to link specific trade related short courses to City and Guild credentials to ensure that students can fill the skills gaps identified by employers” added Robertson.
City & Guilds has a presence in 80 countries.