Freeport, Grand Bahama – Excited parents and family members gathered at Grand Bahama International Airport to welcome home 12 young Bahamians who had spent 18 weeks in Liverpool, England, advancing their technical skills as part of Grand Bahama Shipyard’s continued investment in developing the next generation of skilled Bahamian tradespeople.

The reunion marked the end of an intensive overseas training experience and the beginning of the next stage in the apprentices’ four-year journey. Having left home to immerse themselves in a new environment, culture and standard of technical education, the group returned to Grand Bahama ready to continue their supervised practical training at the Shipyard.

The 2026 cohort comprises three apprentices in each of four trades: welding, steel fabrication, mechanical and pipefitting. More than half received multiple distinctions across various training modules, while Asia Armbrister was named Apprentice of the Year by The Engineering College in Liverpool.

“It was an unreal experience,” said apprentice Tyreq McPhee. “I felt like I experienced a lot over there. A different environment, different people, different culture. It was cool.”

The Liverpool partnership, established in 2023, builds on the Shipyard’s apprenticeship programme, which began in 2001. The four-year programme combines foundational technical education at Bahamas Technical and Vocational Institute (BTVI), advanced training at The Engineering College in Liverpool, and supervised practical experience at Grand Bahama Shipyard.

The Shipyard funds the educational and travel components of the programme and pays apprentices throughout the four-year training programme. Participants are expected to complete their training in December 2030, graduating after their final assessment by The Engineering College.

For Garnet Welsh, who pursued an interest in pipefitting, the opportunity represents more than personal advancement. It is also a chance to encourage other young Bahamians to consider careers in the skilled trades.

“I applied because it’s a great opportunity for young people to explore different trades and  being from the islands, there are not too many skilled tradesmen, so you’ve got to be one of one,” Welsh said.

He described the opportunity to bring his new knowledge back to The Bahamas as rewarding, particularly because it allows him to demonstrate what is possible to younger generations.

“I feel good being able to show the young community that it’s possible for everybody. The training at BTVI was good and got us ready for our training in Liverpool so to anyone that wants to try, just give it a shot,” he said.

The Liverpool training is an important stage in a programme designed to develop competence progressively over four years. Kevin Cairns, of The Engineering College, described the 18-week component as intensive, with apprentices moving from a review of foundational skills into qualification training.

The preparation provided by BTVI helped the group make that transition, he said, with students arriving equipped with the necessary basics, including safe use of hand tools.

Women continue to make their mark within the Shipyard’s skilled trades.  Asia Armbrister and Raeque Russell are the first two women from the Shipyard’s apprenticeship programme to participate in the Liverpool training component, building on the participation of women in the wider programme in previous years.

Russell, who is training in steel fabrication, said the experience has strengthened her sense of accomplishment and her determination to encourage other young women to consider careers traditionally dominated by men.

“It feels amazing, and it shows that women can work in a man’s field too,” she said.

Russell said her sister encouraged her to apply, giving her the confidence to take the first step. Now, she hopes her experience will help others find the courage to do the same.

“Being one of two females, shows women that they can do it too. Just have the courage to step up and try it,” she said.

For Armbrister, being named Apprentice of the Year was a significant milestone. She said she was proud to be among the first two women to take part in the Liverpool component and hopes her achievement will encourage other young women to pursue their ambitions.

“I want to show the young women out there that they can do it. If I can do it, anybody can do it,” she said.

Training in mechanical work, Armbrister particularly valued the opportunity to develop her practical understanding of her trade, learning what to do, how to do it and why each process matters. Her recognition as Apprentice of the Year was an additional source of pride.

Following their return, the apprentices began training at Grand Bahama Shipyard on September 28. They will continue to build their skills under the supervision of experienced tradespeople, applying what they have learned while progressing towards greater independence as their training advances.

More than 100 current Shipyard team members began their careers through the apprenticeship programme, demonstrating its long-standing role in building local expertise and developing talent from within the organization.

For the 12 returning apprentices, the welcome at the airport was a proud homecoming after months of hard work and time away from family. They will now continue development through the successful completion of their fourth-year trade test and their future roles as qualified tradespeople within the Shipyard’s workforce.