Executive wants The Bahamas to focus more on tech sector jobs

Donnisha Armbrister, a Bahamian with multimillion-dollar contracts with the United States (US) Department of Homeland Security, the US Department of Defense, and other federal agencies in the US, said in a press statement that The Bahamas must work harder to use the tech sector to create jobs, especially by focusing on blue collar tech roles through certification-based training.

Armbrister, who is the chief operating officer of South Florida-based firm Lucayan Technology Solutions, said this move could bridge the country’s skills gap, build technical capacity, and generate competitive job opportunities.

She said she believes the local workforce has immense potential to tap into the global tech market.

“The future of work is digital, automated, and artificial intelligence (AI)-driven,” she said.

“This is where The Bahamas needs to focus. We must acknowledge that AI will change work as we know it. Children should be prepared for a future with AI through curriculums that develop a mix of technical skills, critical thinking, and adaptability.

“A strong foundation in STEM [science, technology, engineering and mathematics] is imperative, along with exposure to coding platforms like Scratch, Python, or robotics kits.

“While not everyone will pursue a tech career, it will change overall skill demands. AI is powerful, but there are certain uniquely human skills it struggles to replicate.”

The statement explained that Lucayan Technology also has ongoing partnerships with the Ministry of Education and the Bahamas Agricultural Health Food Safety Authority.

Armbrister is a St. Augustine’s College (SAC) alum who has built a successful career in the tech industry. She believes that though certain jobs are disappearing, new ones are emerging that do not require a traditional degree.

“These are blue-collar tech jobs – managing equipment, identifying and fixing issues. It’s no more complex than a mechanic fixing a car,” Armbrister said.

“It’s about understanding how things work.”

She contends that this country is falling behind in developing homegrown tech talent.

“Young people go abroad for STEM degrees, get work permits in the US, and often don’t return because the US realizes the value of their degree and seeks to retain them,” said Armbrister.

“The Bahamas has a huge shortage of people working in tech, particularly in cybersecurity, and there’s a massive opportunity to develop these skills locally.”

According to the statement, tech and cybersecurity jobs are in high demand globally and there is a shortage of approximately four million professionals worldwide.

Armbrister said Bahamians can gain the necessary skills to support such an industry and return home to support their families and contribute to their communities.

“If they have certifications and tangible skills, they can come back, build careers in tech, and even work remotely,” she said.

“This could help retain populations on some of the Family Islands, so the younger generation doesn’t feel they have to leave to seek employment.

“This way, we retain talent in the country, and we mitigate the loss of those skills.”

She added: “Funding should be directed toward skill-building programs in areas like tech and cybersecurity, where there is a clear demand.

“International companies outsource jobs because it’s cheaper than hiring domestically. These workers still get access to world-class systems used by companies like Amazon or Dell – an experience that leads to better future opportunities, especially in cybersecurity, e-commerce, and IT support.”

Armbrister said she believes that with the right training programs and a focus on sectors with strong demand, multinational companies will look to The Bahamas for talent.

“Once that talent gains the experience, they can make an impact both in the private and public sectors here in The Bahamas,” she said.

“A weekend workshop won’t cut it, we need programs that provide lasting education.

“It’s not just about training students, it’s about training teachers so they can pass on these tech skills to the next generation. That’s how we build a sustainable, tech-driven economy.”

She added that Bahamians who have found success abroad need to also give back in more tangible ways.

She said that re-investment into the local economy should not be sporadic, but should develop concrete pathways to change that will help the next generation of Bahamians thrive.

Armbrister said that while it is likely that kiosks and chatbots will replace a percentage of customer-facing jobs, “High-value human interactions will remain crucial in service industries.”

She continued, “There is a non-replicable value to our culture – art, music, and creativity – that must be placed at the forefront of our value proposition,” she said.