Bahamian Prime Minister Phillip Davis says while the construction boom is real, not many of his fellow citizens are taking advantage of the situation.

“The Government I lead is not going to accept the idea that there aren’t enough trained Bahamians. We don’t write people off. We bring them in. We are investing in closing the skills gap.

“We are expanding apprenticeships. We are paying young people to learn trades. And we are working closely with the Department of Labour and Immigration to make sure that if a job is here in The Bahamas, it is filled by someone from The Bahamas.”

Prime Minister Davis said that the Government is changing the system “so more Bahamians can take ownership of our economy and build a life of stability and pride.

“This is what our mission has always been. Expanding opportunities, island by island, so that no one is left behind. And yes, the road is long. But step by step, project by project, we are moving this country forward with more training, more jobs, and more Bahamians participating in the growth we are creating together.”

Speaking during a tour of the Water Tower construction site, he said his presence is “not just to highlight this project, but to highlight a principle.

“That when our country grows, our people must grow with it. This is a government that believes in the dignity of work. We believe that success should not be inherited by the few, but earned by the many.

“That is why I am proud to announce today that the Government has granted land for a new BTVI (Bahamas Technical and Vocational Institute) campus. This decision is about equipping Bahamians with the skills they need to succeed, right now, in industries that are booming”.

Davis said that from electricians and heating, ventilation, and air conditioning technicians to welders and masons, there are rising demands across the trades “and we will not allow that demand to be met elsewhere while our people are overlooked”.

He said that the new BTVI campus is a down payment on fairness and part of the Government’s broader push to train more Bahamians faster, and better.

“Our apprenticeship programmes are expanding nationwide. Young people are being paid to learn a trade. We are partnering with industry to ensure that what is taught in the classroom matches what is needed on the job site.

“And we are doing this because we know the old excuses won’t cut it anymore. Saying ‘Bahamians aren’t trained’ is not a justification. It is an indictment of the system. So we are fixing the system.”

He said the authorities are building a skills database so they would be aware of where the talent is and where there’s need to train more.

“And we are going further. Requiring that companies receiving government contracts give Bahamians the first opportunity for meaningful employment. This is what progress looks like when it is done right. Not just GDP (gross domestic product) growth, but people growth. Not just foreign investment, but local empowerment.”

He said that the government is not stopping at construction and would be investing in agriculture, renewable energy and digital services.

“We are upgrading roads, docks, and airports so Bahamian businesses can grow in every island. We are modernising the energy grid so your bills come down and your lights stay on. And we are creating new partnerships that bring global opportunity to our shores while making sure Bahamians are at the front of the line.”

Prime Minister Davis said that the Government wants to build a 21st-century economy where Bahamians are trained, working, and thriving and where growth is not a statistic, but a shared experience.