The Bahamas Contractors Association (BCA) has secured a $75,000 grant from the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB), the first of its kind.

“Bahamians are on the right course and are taking advantage,” said Minister of Education Jerome Fitzgerald during a news conference at The Bahamas Technical and Vocational Institute (BTVI) yesterday.

“The government has taken a very strong and concentrated position and effort with regard to training.”

Mr. Fitzgerald said financial aid will also be implemented at the institution for the first time.

President of the BCA Gregory Forbes says he is proud of the accomplishment his union has been able to achieve and is pleased the IDB decided to give the association such an opportunity.

“I think this is the very first time that the IDB has made something like this available to the construction industry of The Bahamas,” said Forbes.

The IDB funding was used to design and deliver training certificate courses for levels one through three.

Level one courses focused on administrative skills, contract negotiations, project finance, works initiation, project administration and contract close out.

The course is delivered over several days and participants meet three times a week. A joint session is held on Saturday.

“This course is a culmination of two years’ worth of dedicated research, development, consulting and editing,” the BCA said.

It consists of eight modules plus the examinations.

Eligible individuals can register at the BCA’s office.