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During the launch of Upskill Bahamas on November 14, 2025, Prime Minister Philip Davis said it was a new online learning and upskilling resource for Bahamians.
He said that anyone wanting new skills for a job, hoping to move up at work, planning to switch careers, or starting a business could use the platform. Upskill Bahamas will offer free access to high-quality online courses and certificates in skills that employers want.
The event took place at Goldwynn Resort and Residences. Those present included Minister of Education Glenys Hanna-Martin, her permanent secretary Lorraine Armbrister, Ambassador Sebastian “Sebas” Bastian, other officials, educators and students.
The Prime Minister said that technology was changing almost every industry, and the speed of that change was surprising. He said Bahamians should not just adapt but should be able to grow and prosper with the right support.
He asked listeners to imagine a young man in Eleuthera designing his first app, a young woman in Bain Town taking an online course that gives her confidence to build a business plan, or an entrepreneur in Cat Island learning marketing skills to grow his small business. He said the country faced what economists call a “skills gap”, which he thought of as a “possibility gap” — the distance between what people can do and what they dream of doing.
He said that the more the country closes that gap, the more people will be able to achieve their goals. Gaining new skills helps individuals and families earn more, and also encourages investment and innovation. He described this as a “virtuous cycle”.
He added that change would not slow down, so people needed to learn fast enough to keep up. Whether someone is a student, job-seeker, former student or entrepreneur, the government wants them to know that it is on their side.
He said the government wanted to give Bahamians the tools to move from aspiration to achievement. He explained that he understood how it felt to climb a career ladder and find missing rungs, or to believe you do not know the right things or the right people. He also knew what it felt like to think you lacked the education or tools others have.
He said his mission was to make sure Bahamians never stop at that point. The shared national mission should be to help each other at the moment when encouragement and support could turn a dream into reality. Upskill Bahamas, he said, was part of that mission — a flexible and modern way to learn in fast-changing times.
He said people could learn when it suited them — during lunch, after work, when a toddler naps, or with friends on weekends.
He noted that Minister Hanna-Martin was working to make schools stronger, especially in literacy, numeracy and digital fluency. But he said big systems take time to change, and most Bahamians are already out of school, so lifelong learning is essential.
He said Bahamians needed to “wear multiple hats” and develop a wide range of skills to stay competitive. He mentioned DigiLearn courses offered with BTVI and the University of The Bahamas, covering basic computing, Microsoft Office and e-commerce. He also mentioned the “WiFi in the Parks” programme to expand internet access, and the JUMP programme with BTC to help families with connectivity and laptops.
He said Upskill Bahamas was part of a wider effort to close digital divides and expand opportunities. The programme will start at a large scale and will be updated based on user feedback and private sector needs, so that skills offered match skills employers want.
He said Bahamian talent would drive the next phase of national development. That is why the government is focusing on education, upskilling, mentorship, grants, financing and access to expertise, so more people have a fair chance to use their abilities.
He said that nations investing in their people always grow stronger. The world will continue to change, and The Bahamas will change with confidence, without leaving anyone behind.
Source: Bahamas Information Service.
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