Starting in 2002, the annual Careers Fair hosted by the Bahamas Financial Services Board (BFSB) was complemented by a School Essay and Speech Competition. Participating schools select the best overall essay and speech contestant through an internal process, and submit such to an Industry Panel which selects the overall winner in each competition from these “finalists”.

In 2008 BFSB elected to incorporate its annual Careers Fair into the first National Career Awareness Month; that first year, it was decided to keep the essay & speech competition as stand-alone events. As of the 2009 NCAM, however, BFSB’s School Competitions were fully integrated into the national event, similarly to what was done for the Careers Fair in 2008. Bahamas Business Solutions Ltd. has been a long time sponsor of this school outreach programme, donating the prizes for the winning student/school for both the essay and speech competition.

The 2010 Competitions are underway and, once again, Bahamas Business Solutions Ltd. has come on board as sponsor of the primary prizes. Also contributing to the annual event are KPMG and the Rotary Club of Nassau Sunrise.

The topic for the 2010 Competitions is “Developing Bahamian Entrepreneurship within the Bahamas Financial Services Sector”. The Essays have been submitted to the Panel of Judges, while the Speech Competition is scheduled for Tuesday, November 23rd. It will be followed by the Presentation Ceremony for finalists and winners of both competitions.

*Photo Caption: Photo shows BFSB CEO Wendy Warren accepting the two laptops provided by Erika Colebrooke of BBSL. BBSL also is contributing gift certificates for the winning schools.*