The Nassau Guardian editorial of Saturday, June 15, 2013, implores trade associations to facilitate training programs as done by the BCA and BTVI", and while I used to agree in principle, that is no longer the case.

Here's why:

"…Several years ago I served on the Government’s Vocational & Technical Training Board at what was then the Industrial Training Centre. They had a new truck valued at approximately $32,000 at the time that for several months sat in front of the office where our meetings were held. Being the inquisitive type I kept asking when the vehicle would be repaired. Each month I was assured it was being dealt with. Finally, in a fit of temper at the utter disregard for my tax dollars I left no doubt as to what course of action I would take if the truck was there the following month. It was subsequently repaired and put back into use. It is important to note that ITC or BTVI as it is called today has the responsibility for teaching mechanical and body repairs to its students. Here again, there is little argument from the politicians as to the benefits of cleaning these situations up." More…

In addition to this, our company was able to get a car donated for training along with the manuals and special diagnostic tool needed at that time to diagnose electronic issues.

Well the car was soon mothballed and the tool was nowhere to be found. I doubt the car can even be found now.

So we decided to "design" our own in-house apprentice training programme and avoid using ITC/BTVI.

Several years later, the manufacturers implemented online training that is supplemented by visits to their training centres when associates have shown their willingness and ability to learn.

In other words, we have less reason as time goes on to use BTVI for apprentice technician training.

Mind you, I don't think the intention of BTVI is bad, but we cannot continue to allow government ministers to create myths around these places that society is better served by them than private initiative.

This all begs the question; can governments that in other contexts are widely viewed as dysfunctional take on a more important, even a leading role in fixing the problems they've helped create?

As Professor Ricard Epstein said; "One of the enduring faiths of modern progressive thought is that omniscient policy makers can cancel out the errors of one form of economic intervention by implementing a second…" More…

So while I agree with the editorial in principle that we should invest in human capital. I wholeheartedly disagree that we should do it in concert with the government.