23/01/2016
Greater Houston Black Chamber’s (GHBC) First Female Board Chair pays a courtesy visit on the twelfth grade students enrolled in the Technical Cadet Corps Programme on Grand Bahama Island.
November 19, 2015
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
FREEPORT, BAHAMAS-Vernita B. Harris, Greater Houston Black Chamber of Commerce’s (GHBCC) first female Board Chair, paid a courtesy visit on Bishop Joseph L. Hall, Assistant Director of the Technical Cadet Corps Programme (TCCP) on Grand Bahama Island, and the twelfth grade students enrolled in this programme, on Wednesday, November 18, 2015 at the St. George’s High School.
Ms. Harris, accompanied by a team of businesspersons and elected officials from Houston, Texas, is visiting Grand Bahama Island for one week, with the understanding that Houston's economy is similar to that of Grand Bahama as it is diverse and driven by industry. In her brief remarks to the TCCP students, Ms. Harris explained that she was on a trade mission to Freeport, Grand Bahama in an effort to establish trade and investment ties between Freeport and Houston. Ms. Harris also spoke about her educational and career background, and her rise to becoming the first female Board Chair of the GHBCC. She then invited the students to introduce themselves and speak about their goals. During their interactive session, Ms. Harris cautioned the students to be focused, serious and always mindful of their behavior.
As an alumni of Prairie View A & M University, Ms. Harris informed the students about the various scholarship opportunities that this University offers to international students. She also noted that many Bahamian students have attended this university and hence, Bahamian students are highly regarded because of their good reputation of being high scholastic achievers and well behaved. Additionally, Ms. Harris informed the twelfth graders of some of the requirements of getting into University and advised them, that in order for them to be considered for a scholarship, they must stand out academically and demonstrate good behavior.
In closing, Ms. Harris opened the floor to answer questions from the students and, further encouraged them to take advantage of every opportunity that life affords them. Bishop Joseph L. Hall, thanked Ms. Harris for taking the time out to address the students and stated that he looked forward to partnering with her on any opportunity that will contribute to the further development of the students and the TCCP on Grand Bahama Island.
The TCCP was established on the island of Grand Bahama in 1994, with the goal of expanding the pool of technically qualified persons in The Bahamas. Since then, the reach of the programme has expanded; and it acts as a feeder for private sector partners in the industrial sector on the island of Grand Bahama.
The TCCP is geared toward training students in the technical areas in which these corporations specialize. The main objectives of the programme include recruiting and training students who show some degree of interest and proficiency in technical-related fields; creating an option for some of those students who might otherwise drop out of the school system for one or more of a number of social dislocations; providing exposure for students who show interest and who intend to pursue higher education in engineering and related fields; and establishing and reinforcing the kinds of discipline and attitudes necessary for job enrichment and national development.
Companies interested in becoming a sponsor/partner are asked to contact Bishop Joseph L. Hall at the Ministry of Education, Science and Technology at 602-9550, or at the aforementioned email address.
Like us on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/technicalcadetcorpsprogramme.
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