It is well known by now that Bahamians face more competition, especially when the Free Trade of the Americas (FTAA) comes into effect.
It has long been the stance of this paper to encourage Bahamians to not only get as much education as possible, but to also keep abreast of world events.
The world is rapidly changing and every day there are new developments that affect world economies and people’s lives.
Just recently, Leslie Miller, the Minister of Trade and Industry, urged people to equip themselves to bridge the “digital divide” between the developed and the developing world.
The only way to do that is for Bahamians (especially the youth) to go as far as they can with their education.
Though The Bahamas is well known for having highly skilled workers, this must continue and even increase over the coming years.
As globalisation allows the free flow of information and people around the world, Bahamians will have the opportunity to compete for high paying and prestigious careers.
However, it is also a necessity for people to really do their research to find out where the job market is going.
In other words, there cannot be an imbalance of people going away to school to learn one discipline while another profession lacks personnel οΎ– such as nursing and teaching.
Look at how many companies from around the world are coming to the Caribbean to search for teachers and nurses, offering high salaries and helping them complete citizenship documents in whichever country recruits them.
People holding occupations and degrees in engineering, the sciences and computer technology are in demand, but it is also vital that Bahamians see the value in learning another language.
Since The Bahamas is a leading tourist destination and as well as a financial centre, it will only serve the country more in the long run if more persons become bi- or multilingual.
Long gone are the days when Bahamians could feel comfortable and secure in the knowledge that this small country has a high standard of living.
It is this fact that has led many people to come here to find better opportunities, and this might only increase in the future.
It will be up to the government, in conjunction with civic, community leaders and concerned individuals, to ensure that Bahamians are prepared for the increased competition that will be out there for jobs in the future.
Editorial, The Nassau Guardian
