FREEPORT, Grand Bahama, Sept. 20, 2023 –The Grand Bahama Port Authority (GBPA) has recently partnered with Quess Corp, in association with University of The Bahamas (UB) to launch revolutionary Tech Edge upskilling program with the objective of simultaneously solving two of the country’s most pressing issues as it relates to the technology sector: Firstly, how to train Bahamians to be globally competitive in the cutting-edge tech sector and secondly, how to create financially attractive job opportunities to entice Bahamians who specialize in the sector to return home.
Quess Corp Ltd , India based multinational business service provider conglomerate, with over 505,000 global employees and having operations in India, APAC, SEA and USA and in over 9 countries, will develop — in association with University of The Bahamas — the Tech Edge intensive upskilling program.
The Tech Edge upskilling program will prepare to ready Bahamians to be globally competitive in a variety of on-demand technology fields. The innovative Tech Edge program will provide all the resources for successful candidates to land in lucrative and top earning employment opportunities with some of the most premier tech firms in the world, with their newly developed skillsets and certifications.
Expressing his excitement to bring this caliber of program to Grand Bahama GBPA President Ian Rolle said, “There is no doubt that the technology sector is arguably the leading and most financially profitable sector in today’s world. Not only are we training Grand Bahamians as well as creating high net worth employment opportunities, but we also have the potential to create critical mass as having this type of specialized skillset places us to attract high end tech investments.”
The program is a hybrid with most of the sessions taking place online and the in-person sessions at the Susan J Wallace Community Center in Freeport. Application for the Tech Edge Program is open to all Bahamians having at least a high school diploma. There will be an interview and vetting process conducted by the sound and expert team at Quess Corp to select the candidates for the said program.
The first cohort of the Tech Edge Program is scheduled to begin on October 16, 2023, and will consist of approximately 50 Bahamian candidates and will take place over the program course period of 8-12 weeks. Candidates will have the option to choose one specific program course out of three development tracks, namely: 1) Cloud Computing (Azure), 2) Mobile App Development (Android OS), or 3) Cyber Security.
The Tech Edge Program can facilitate multiple cohorts annually and with the high demand for nearshore IT talent, there will not be a shortage of meaningful job opportunities for successful participants.
Daniel Friker, CEO of Quess North America, highlighted the significant role that Tech Edge will play in developing Grand Bahama’s tech sector.
“Our strategic relationship with GBPA is twofold,” Friker said. “ We have partnered with them to on the one hand develop and grow an existing resource pool of qualified Bahamians in the technology field. And on the other hand, to attract global tech companies for nearshoring opportunities to capitalize and grow the local tech industry in Grand Bahama and by extension The Bahamas.”
Dr. Ian Strachan, President of University of The Bahamas Northern Campus, shared his enthusiasm over the program and the importance of such an initiative in the Bahamas and in particular in Grand Bahama.
“Building a technology and innovation sector for Freeport Grand Bahama is part of our joint collaborative strategy with the GBPA and Quess to create a stronger, more diverse, and sustainable economy for Grand Bahama, and Bahamas as a whole,” Dr. Strachan said. “The program will not only upskill the technology but also develop the soft skills to put candidates in the best position to take advantage of the job opportunities, which this program partnership provides.”
For more information and to apply visit www.techedgebahamas.com. Stay tuned to our social media pages for updates.
