BTVI Achieves Accreditation from the Council on Occupational Education (COE)

NASSAU, The Bahamas - The Bahamas Technical and Vocational Institute (BTVI) has made history by officially attaining accreditation from the Commission of the Council on Occupational Education (COE) after an intensive, multi-year process of evaluation. The milestone was announced during a press conference held at the Office of the Prime Minister on Friday, September 26, 2025.

In attendance were Acting Prime Minister and Minister of Education, Technical & Vocational Training, the Hon. Glenys Hanna-Martin; Permanent Secretary of MOETV, Lorraine Armbrister and senior officials; and BTVI President, Dr. Linda A. Davis, along with her leadership team.

Minister Hanna-Martin described the accreditation as a landmark achievement for both the institution and the nation: "It is with a profound sense of celebration and pride that we mark this red-letter day, not only for BTVI but for The Bahamas. This demonstrates what we can achieve with intentionality. The accreditation process demanded a deep, introspective evaluation of the institution. BTVI's new status places it among 500 elite institutions, a powerful validation of its work and progress."

President Dr. Linda Davis highlighted the rigorous nature of the journey:
"This was a comprehensive, demanding process that truly tested our team. In June, a 14-member delegation from the Council on Occupational Education, based in Atlanta, Georgia, conducted an intensive evaluation of our institution.

"Divided into teams, they carried out exhaustive reviews across all seven sites - including our main campus, branch campus, extension sites, and instructional service centre. We were under intense scrutiny, and the pressure was real."
BTVI was assessed against more than 100 criteria across 10 core standards, which included faculty and staff interviews, facility inspections, and detailed reviews of institutional data covering academic standards, quality measures, and student outcomes.

"This is not only a BTVI achievement but also a national achievement," Dr. Davis said. "It is historic - a pivotal moment in our 76 years of existence. Our programmes now meet globally benchmarked standards, and the opportunities this unlocks for our students are far-reaching."

With accreditation secured, BTVI now joins a global network of nearly 500 institutions across almost 2,000 campuses, united in their commitment to uphold excellence in occupational education.

The Bahamas Technical & Vocational Institute made history after attaining accreditation from the Commission of the Council on Occupational Education (COE). The announcement was made during a press conference held at the Office of the Prime Minister on Friday, September 26, 2025.

(BIS Photo/Betty Vedrine)