The Skills for Current and Future Jobs in The Bahamas program was created to improve the employability of Bahamians and increase access to quality jobs in The Bahamas.  The program is focused on three high-growth industries: maritime, medical services and information and communication technology (ICT). 

The program includes the Bahamas Apprenticeship Program which consists of an Apprenticeship Program and a Pre-Apprenticeship Program.

Apprenticeship training helps to train a skilled workforce with specialized skills for specific industries. It is intended for those between 16-40 years old who meet the minimum entry requirements for the program. Apprentices are employed by an employer and train while doing the job, with support from a training provider.

What can I expect as an employer? 
 

Employment and Adherence to Employment Terms

The Bahamas Apprenticeship Program is a 12-month obligation which involves taking on an apprentice who will be employed by you and must adhere to your employment terms and conditions. 
 

Contract for a Minimum of 30 Hours Per Week

An apprenticeship contract must be for a minimum of 30 hours per week. Apprentices must receive skills-based, on-the-job training for 80% of the work week and be released for off-the-job training for 20% of the work week. Typically, apprentices spend four days on the job and one day with the training provider each week. However, this depends on the industry. Block release arrangements are also possible. 
 

National Minimum Wage Requirement

The apprentices will receive a stipend not below minimum wage. However, an employer may decide to pay the apprentice a higher wage. The Program will pay half of the minimum wage stipend and the full training services associated with the apprenticeship.

How much will it cost my company?

Apprenticeship training is considered a job and the apprentice will receive a stipend not below minimum wage for the duration of the 12-month apprenticeship training program.  

The wage stipend will be subsidized in part by the program. The costs of the training provider for the Apprenticeship Program will also be covered by the program for the duration of the apprenticeship. 

The 16-week pre-apprenticeship training program includes workplace exposure but it is not considered a job. Employers are not obligated to pay a wage stipend associated with the Pre-Apprenticeship Program.

How will my company benefit from the program?
 

Apprentices can be a reliable source of skilled labour and are more likely to be retained for full time employment, resulting in higher workplace productivity. 

Other work-place learning benefits to employers include: 

• Enabling cost effective recruitment 

• developing a well-trained and motivated workforce

• Developing an adaptable training program to up-skill new and existing employees

• Improving company performance 

• Demonstrating your commitment to staff development 

• Helping to source and access funding to assist with the costs of training

What training will the apprentice receive?

The Bahamas Apprenticeship Program is committed to ensuring your apprentice receives the right training.  

Skills-based Training

The skills-based training curriculum for each of the participating economic sectors - maritime, medical services and ICT - is driven by Sector Skills Councils which are composed of business leaders that advise on the skills needed in their respective sectors. 

Apprenticeships are made up of three core elements - National Vocational Qualifications, Technical Certificates and Functional Skills - regardless of the apprenticeship.

Training Providers

You will receive help to ensure that you choose an apprentice that is right for your company. The final decision is yours but the apprentice will undergo an assessment to ensure that they are able to undergo the level of training required and are able to include in the digital apprentice pool from which you will select your apprentice. 

When employing an apprentice, it is recommended that you follow your normal recruitment process in relation to references, disclosure of criminal convictions and any other checks that are necessary for the role in which the apprentice will be working.

Prior to starting the apprenticeship Employers must meet the below responsibilities which include but are not limited to the following: 

Legitimate Company Authorized to Trade in The Bahamas

Employers must possess the required documentation to verify that they are authorized to conduct business in The Bahamas.  
 

Adhere to a Health and Safety Visit 

A representative from the Bahamas Apprenticeship Program will visit your premises and carry out an initial audit prior to a trainee starting an apprenticeship. Monitoring will occur throughout the program to ensure that the apprentice is working in a safe environment. 
 

Ability to Provide a Mentor 

Companies must have the ability to provide a mentor within the company to ensure that the apprentice works alongside competent and trained staff.
 

Every employer must ensure that apprentices are protected from any risk to their health and safety as a result to a lack of experience, an absence of the awareness of an existing or potential risk or that younger apprentices may have lower maturity levels. 

Interested employers should register with the Department of Labour at jobseekers.bahamas.gov

Registration form at jobseekers.bahamas.gov

You may be required to submit the necessary documents to verify that the company is authorized to conduct trade in The Bahamas.

There are no apprenticeship or pre-apprenticeship training program application fees associated with the Bahamas Apprenticeship Program.

Department of Labour at (242) 302-2550 thru to 302-2562.  

You may also email apprenticeships@bahamas.gov.bs.

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