More than 230 adult students were honoured at Bermuda College in an awards ceremony recognising their achievements in courses helping them learn new career skills, upskill, reskill, train and retrain for jobs.
The Athora Professional and Career Education (APACE) awards celebrated students who completed a broad range of professional and career development courses through the division.
Bermuda College says APACE offers flexible training and professional development programmes that meet local and international standards.
Its professional and career education options include certificates and professional designations, short training and exam review, professional development courses and workshops, and online certificates and courses.
The awards highlighted the importance of lifelong learning for adults at different stages of their working lives, from those strengthening current skills to those preparing for career progression or a change in direction.
Dr David Sam, president of Bermuda College, congratulated the students and said their achievements reflected the value of continuing education.
He said: “The message is very simple: lifelong learning. Whenever there’s the opportunity to learn something new, you embrace it and learn something new. That’s what many of these students have done.
“Some, it’s the beginning of a new career, some, it will help them change, but whatever it is, they have enhanced themselves. And we applaud them.”
Keynote speaker Carmen Lindo delivered an inspiring address centred on achievement, perseverance, courage and, most importantly, possibility. Reflecting on her own lifelong learning journey, she shared that her connection to Bermuda College dates back to 1990 and spoke about the transformative role education has played throughout her life and career.
Ms Lindo told graduates: “Education and learning is not confined to a classroom, or a campus, or a phase of life… it’s a way of living.”
She spoke about spending four decades pursuing learning opportunities, certifications and professional training, much of which was supported through Bermuda College, and encouraged graduates to continue embracing education as a lifelong journey.
An experienced fiduciary services and compliance professional with more than 30 years’ experience in trust and company management, risk management and regulatory compliance, Ms Lindo holds the Trust and Estate Practitioner designation with distinction and the Certified Anti-Money Laundering Specialist designation. She has also served in leadership roles with STEP Bermuda Branch, the Bermuda Association of Licensed Trustees and the Association of Bermuda Compliance Officers.
Tawana Flood, head of Athora Professional and Career Education, congratulated the students and thanked the APACE team and lecturers for supporting adult learners throughout their studies.
Ms Flood said: “Congratulations to all our outstanding students on this important achievement. Their commitment, discipline and determination are what APACE is all about.
“I also want to thank our staff and all our lecturers for the work they do to support our students. Their dedication helps adults across Bermuda gain the skills, confidence and qualifications they need to move forward in their careers.”
Courses completed by students ranged from artificial intelligence, basic horticulture, nursing assistants, bartending and leadership and management.
One leadership and management student, Nicholas Maiato, who works for the City of Hamilton, said the course had helped him learn management and leadership skills.
He said the course was “very helpful” and added: “It teaches you a lot of things about management and different skills.”
Kiana Sampson, who completed a childcare course while working at a children’s nursery, said studying in the evenings after work had been challenging, but worthwhile.
“It was very challenging to go to a class after work. But I got through it,” she said.
She added that she would recommend the course to others, saying: “If you want to excel, go further, I would recommenddoing that.”
Dannielle Leverock, a community worker with the Office of Youth Affairs, completed a course in general management, sponsored by her employer.
Ms. Leverock said the course had helped her learn management skills and would support her future career goals.
She said: “If you do require or want to go in management, it’s very, very good. It is just a plus to the status I want to acquire when I reach that level.”
Tarcy Doeman, who completed a certified life coach course, said she was interested in helping others and saw the qualification as part of a career change.
Ms. Doeman said: “Everyone needs an accountability partner. If you have accountability, it helps people to progress.”
She added that the course had encouraged her to consider further study in psychology or sociology at Bermuda College.
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