2.5 Hour Video: Forum On Technical Education
The Bermuda Technical Institute Alumni [BTIA] held a forum at Cathedral Hall in Hamilton with attendees filling the venue to hear the panelists discuss various topics related to technical education.
The theme of the forum — which was moderated by Rick Richardson — was “Bermuda Technical Institute, 60 Years On – Where To From Here.”
The BTIA is urging people to “consider the merits of the syllabus of technical education offered by the former Bermuda Technical Institute as a means of tackling the problem of youth unemployment in the community.”
A spokesperson previously said, “The BTIA is adamant that such a system, updated to include the expanded fields of Information Technology, and the various disciplines created in this digital era, could form part of the solution to the growing unemployment problem and related anti-social behavior, challenging the community.
“The cry for practical action, comes on the heels of another spate of deadly violence in Bermuda, and coincides with the B.T.I.A. reunion marking the 60 year anniversary of the Bermuda Technical Institute.
“The highly successful B.T.I. was closed down in 1972. This initiative is designed to prepare the next generation for the new wave of technical education, and ultimately the job market.”
2 hour 45 minute video below:
Speakers that addressed the crowd included tech alums, former MP and Bermuda Industrial Union president Ottiwell Simmons; businessman David Sullivan; businessman and former MP and Senator Reginald Burrows, and educator Shawnette Somner.
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…and the action plan is …?
They closed Tech because too much Black men were becoming tradesmen and starting their own buisness.
Yes, they would rather employ them to take sick days in an unnecessary government job. That is obviously in their best interest.
You are a genius.
More of your usual re-writing of history .
Tech was closed when enrollment numbers plummeted because many found quick financial gratification in getting a job in the then booming hotel and construction industries . It was merged into the Bermuda college in the end , so technically it still exists .
Furthermore it was not an exclusively ‘black educational institution’ , many whites went there as well . Something else you don’t seem to know . So why would the ‘white oligarchy’ deliberately disenfranchise their own ?
This old myth needs to be put to bed once and for all . You may not like it OJ , and many others don’t want to believe it either but white Bermudians have long known that if Black Bermudians are educated , employed and happy then EVERYONE is .
Don’t waste your time @Toodle-oo…. I’ve also been told the opposition of the day, supported and proposed having Tech. integrated into B.C…. this was to offer OTHER options related to careers, outside JUST trades… which I respect…I will leave the conspiracy theories with those that can’t exist without them…stories ALWAYS sound better when you create an enemy to hate…
I think people forget that B.C. has a Tech. Hall and technical programs…. I attended when they where at Roberts Avenue.. along with many who have gone on and experienced successful careers….it’s great to reminisce, and these alumni have gone on and done great things for Bermuda….but more focus should be on Trade Companies hiring young willing individuals on an apprenticeship bases in which a program (if there is not one now) is in place to share cost of having the youngsters taking certificate course at B.C. at least 2-3 times per week…. I honestly believe we have the facility in place to achieve what Tech. did in the early days… Creating and opening a new technical facility under a different name will not get the results I think many believe will be achieved…
IMO
You wouldn’t know the truth if it kicked you in the a**.
not sure where all the “Dislikes” came from…. guess it must be the typical reaction when facts are given and “the gig is up”… stop lying on EVERY topic in Bermuda for political reasons….
FACT… I went to B.C. at Roberts Avenue, took part in the lunch-time debates with “The Famous One”… and many others who have gone on and been successful in our community… One thing that stands out is the amount of guys who were in my trade class who changed their career and went on to to be successful in business oriented fields of work because the opportunity was there at B.C. and they were not only being exposed to a trade….
if all of those attendees volunteered and donated some time, a school could be up and running. the school could start with the kids who are out of school due to suspensions et al and give them practical projects to learn and master. Using trade networks, the school could seek apprenticeships,intern possibilities. it is not always necessary to wait for somebody to do something for you. just get on with it. home schools are popping up all the time, so it can be done.
Great idea… we was giving away FREE education at B.C. a few years back…maybe look to introduce this initiative at the technical level earlier as you suggested… may save a few kids before they travel too far down the wrong path….
Unfortunately, I’m sure there will be many out there complaining that “trade” is the limit we are encouraging these young man to achieve…. kinda like the feeling some got about Tech. before suggesting integrating with B.C…
Your assumption is wrong and misleading. Technical fields require proper education. Gone are the days when these fields were for school drop outs. Most young people that are high school dropouts struggle in technical field’s such as electrical, fire tech, hvac, security systems, electronics , iT etc. Because they lack adequate high school education to support a technical field course and complete it. Mot struggle to master the concepts and get frustrated and leave technical fields training and instead end up doing none skilled jobs such as delivery jobs. The solution is for the college to link up with high schools and assist them to review their curriculum. There is a seious disconnection between high schools and the college technical school. Also that belief thatnjust because a student is mkre gifted with their hands than in academics can only work maybe in masonry, painting and construction labour as these days such workers would need to be academically certified.