There are moments that remind us why our international partnerships are so important. Last week was one of them.
Our Grand Bahamian apprentices welcomed BBC Radio Merseyside to The Engineering College, where journalists met two of our pioneering learners, Asia and Raeque – the first female apprentices from Grand Bahama Shipyard to undertake specialist training with us in Birkenhead.
Representing both The Engineering College and Grand Bahama Shipyard with confidence and pride, Asia and Raeque spoke about their engineering journeys, their experience of travelling overseas, and the cultural differences they have embraced during their time in the Liverpool City Region. Their interview, broadcast on BBC Radio Merseyside Breakfast, celebrated not only their individual achievements but also the growing impact of an international partnership that is changing lives on both sides of the Atlantic.
WATCH HERE:
The visit offered listeners a glimpse into what makes this programme so special. For many of the apprentices, it is their first time travelling internationally, providing them with the opportunity to develop both professionally and personally while immersing themselves in one of the world’s great maritime cities.
The BBC feature is the latest chapter in a partnership that began several years ago between The Engineering College and Grand Bahama Shipyard. Established in 2021, the collaboration was created to help develop the shipyard’s ambitious apprenticeship and workforce development programme as it prepares the next generation of skilled marine engineers. Leveraging The Engineering College’s expertise in maritime engineering and apprenticeship delivery, the partnership has grown into an international knowledge exchange that supports the future of the Caribbean’s largest ship repair facility.
Each year, apprentices from Grand Bahama Shipyard travel to Birkenhead for an intensive programme of practical training, learning from industry specialists with decades of experience across welding, fabrication, pipefitting, mechanical engineering and other specialist disciplines. Working within our industry-standard workshops, students gain hands-on experience that complements their apprenticeship back home, before returning to the Bahamas equipped with new technical skills and a broader understanding of global engineering practices.
But the experience extends far beyond the workshop.
During their stay, students have explored Liverpool’s rich maritime heritage, experienced British culture, built friendships with fellow apprentices and College staff, and developed the confidence that comes from stepping outside their comfort zone. It is an experience that reflects The Engineering College’s belief that engineering education is about developing people as much as technical ability.
For Asia and Raeque, the experience carries additional significance.
Engineering has historically been a male-dominated industry, particularly within heavy engineering and ship repair. By becoming the first female Bahamian apprentices to join this international programme, they are helping to redefine what the next generation of engineering talent looks like. Their willingness to share their story on BBC Radio Merseyside demonstrates not only their own confidence but also provides inspiration for other young women considering careers in engineering, both in the Bahamas and here in the UK.
Their success has also attracted attention back home, where the apprentices have become ambassadors for Grand Bahama Shipyard’s investment in young people. Families, colleagues and communities across the Bahamas have followed their journey with pride, highlighting the wider impact that opportunities like these can have beyond technical training alone.
We would like to thank BBC Radio Merseyside for visiting The Engineering College and helping share these remarkable stories with listeners across the region.
Asia and Raeque have represented both The Engineering College and Grand Bahama Shipyard brilliantly. Their journey demonstrates the power of international collaboration, the value of investing in young engineers, and the exciting opportunities that exist when industry and education work together to develop the skilled workforce of tomorrow.
We look forward to watching all of our Bahamian apprentices continue to develop throughout their training and wish them every success as they return home to help shape the future of engineering at Grand Bahama Shipyard.
