BTVI Named UNESCO Centre of Vocational Excellence

NASSAU, BAHAMAS – “The Bahamas Technical and Vocational Institute (BTVI) has been granted status as a United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) Centre of Vocational Excellence.”

“Known as UNESCO-UNEVOC – an acronym combining ‘UNESCO’ and ‘vocational education’ – it is a global network of institutions specialising in technical and vocational education and training (TVET). There are now 253 UNEVOC centres in 152 countries.”

“The four types of UNEVOC Centres are ministries, national bodies, training providers and
research institutions.”

“BTVI President, Keyshan L. Bastian, expressed pride in the institution’s latest achievement,
noting that it reflects the organisation’s commitment to excellence.”

“UNESCO is an internationally respected body, so to be accepted as a UNESCO Centre of
Vocational Excellence in is a nod to the high standards being upheld by BTVI. The BTVI
team truly deserves congratulations as this accomplishment took over three years to
complete with one year working on the application and two years before it was approved,”
said Ms. Bastian.

“BTVI has certainly taken its place on the global stage, alongside other institutions that
improve equal access to quality skills, empower individuals and build capacity for upskilling
and reskilling; thereby transforming lives and communities,” she added.

“A key performance indicator of BTVI’s strategic plan objective, ‘Forge Globally Relevant
Connections’ was to establish a UNESCO-UNEVOC Centre of Vocational Excellence by
June 2026. Additionally, the accomplishment is connected to BTVI’s strategic pillar of
‘Connecting our Community and the World.’”

“Ms. Bastian added that it is an honour for BTVI to be a member of an organisation like
UNESCO-UNEVOC that shapes and advances the global TVET agenda, transforming
education systems, labour markets, economies and societies.”

“BTVI’s UNESCO-UNEVOC designation comes just six months after the institution’s
accreditation by the Council on Occupational Education (COE), headquartered in Atlanta,
Georgia.”