Grand Bahamians who have a hard time finding jobs now have a better chance to make work, H. Rudy Sawyer, assistant general manager of the Bahamas Agricultural and Industrial Corporation (BAIC), said.
Mr. Sawyer told The Bahama Journal that more residents could make money for themselves and discover entrepreneurship through a training course being organized by BAIC.
“Last year, we launched our straw craft training. This year we are offering a shell craft training programme,” Chala Cartwright, the officer responsible for the Handicraft Department of the Northern Region, explained.
April Martin will be the trainer during the 10-day course, scheduled to begin April 3.
Ms. Cartwright said the programme will allow participants to be creative and learn all aspects of the craft.
“During this course participants will be exposed to all different type of shells. They will be taught how to put them together and make flowers, hairclips, hair bands, earrings, and a number of souvenir items,” she said.
“[Participants] will be taught the right methods and the right tools to use.”
Mr. Sawyer said the courses will create entrepreneurs who can now go out and make money in a variety of ways.
“[Following] our last course ending November of last year, the straw craft course, where 24 persons graduated in Grand Bahama, at least 10 of those persons are consistently doing business,” he said.
“Some of these persons are in their own outlet. Some are supplying retailers with items, and some are supplying individuals who are looking for high fashion items. We are expecting the same thing to happen here as with the straw craft.”
Mr. Sawyer said more than 300 persons were taught straw craft last year.
He said this kind of training is essential because there is a market for Bahamian products.
“We have an interesting economy,” Mr. Sawyer said. “Tourism is big with us. If Bahamians are not interested in the products, we have enough foreigners, tourist customers who can support a souvenir industry.”
He noted that the souvenir industry is over $150 million a year.
“That’s plenty money for Bahamian products,” Mr. Sawyer said. “Tourists are still looking for products that are Bahamian. Folks who are in the craft area, they do very well. They are selling their products.”
He noted that natural resources are used in the training programme – that is shells.
By: Daphne McIntosh, The Bahama Journal
