Lloyd, Executive Director of the Leadership Development Institute, talks training and jobs to a full house at St. Paul’s Church in Fox Hill

Davis and team set to welcome new jobs for Bahamians at Baha Mar and on Grand Bahama at the five star Blue Diamond Resort set to open in days….Bahamas is headed in the right direction….

NASSAU, The Bahamas  (January 7, 2014) –Yesterday, at a community meeting at St. Paul’s Baptist Church in Fox Hill, Baha Mar announced the launch ofThe Leadership Development Institute (LDI), a component of the resort’s ongoing training and recruitment initiatives to fill more than 4,000 positions by the scheduled opening in December 2014. LDI is a non-profit training organization supported by Baha Mar and led by renowned radio personality and youth leader, Jeff Lloyd. The Institute was formed to provide a broad cross-section of Bahamians with the opportunity to create a better future by providing comprehensive and holistic training in technical, leadership and life skills.

The LDI information and recruitment meeting, the first of five meetings occurring from January 6 – 24, was attended by approximately 300 people and had a strong show of support from LDI leadership, the community and executives from Baha Mar. Those present included The Hon. Philip Davis, Deputy Prime Minister of The Bahamas; Fred Mitchell, Member of Parliament for the Fox Hill constituency; Robert Sands, Baha Mar Senior Vice President of Administration and External Affairs; Jeff Lloyd, LDI Executive Director; Rev. Dr. J. Carl Rahming, pastor of St. Paul’s Baptist Church and other members of the LDI leadership team.

Said Sands: “Baha Mar will be a transformative project for The Bahamas. By supporting the Leadership Development Institute, we are effectively extending opportunities at Baha Mar to individuals in every community. Not having a degree or the right skills doesn’t necessarily mean that people don’t have the potential to succeed. If they have the commitment to learn and live the Baha Mar standards they also can be part of our team.”

Starting on Monday, February 3, 2014, in the Crystal Palace Ballroom on West Bay Street, LDI will begin its inaugural training program. The 16-week day program, open to unemployed men and women between 16 to 24 years old, will operate for five and a half days per week. Candidates who demonstrate a commitment to the Baha Mar standards and successfully complete the challenging program will be extended an offer of employment at Baha Mar in job areas such as, food and beverage, housekeeping, cleaning services, grounds maintenance and security.

LDI is also slated to begin an evening program for men and women, 25-years-old and older, during spring 2014. This program will enable those with work experience who are interested in a position at Baha Mar to enhance job readiness and hospitality training prior to applying to the resort.

Telling his story of rising from humble beginnings through hard work, Deputy Prime Minister Davis urged the audience to take advantage of the opportunities for training and employment through the Leadership Development Institute and applauded the efforts of the LDI and Baha Mar for sponsoring  these initiatives.

“The creation of the Leadership Development Institute is a great example of what can happen when the private sector and community leaders work together,” remarked Lloyd. “Holistic training and the opportunity for a job is something that our young people need at this time. If you are willing to invest in you, Baha Mar is willing to invest in you.”

Applications will be available at St. Paul’s Baptist Church in Fox Hill. Completed applications may be returned to St Paul’s or delivered to The Nassau Guardian building in Oakes Field. For additional information and to download applications to the LDI program, please visit www.facebook.com/LDIBahaMar.  Enquiries may also be directed to ldibahamas@gmail.com.