Windward, Core Construction, TCICC Launch TCI’s First Construction Apprenticeship Program of Its Kind
- NewslineTCI
- Jun 30
- 5 min read
Seven TCICC students begin paid, dual work-and-study training on active construction sites in a first for the Turks and Caicos Islands.
Windward, Core Construction, and the Turks and Caicos Islands Community College (TCICC) have launched an apprenticeship program that is the first of its kind in the Turks and Caicos Islands, creating a direct, structured pathway from education to skilled employment in the construction industry for youth in the Turks and Caicos Islands.
The 10-month program which commenced earlier this month, was formally launched with a total of seven trainees, on Monday, June 22, 2026 at Arc, South Bank’s flagship neighbourhood, in the presence of government ministers, industry partners, and the inaugural cohort.
This apprenticeship initiative serves as a vital adjunctive immersive experience for trainees registered in the 3-month internationally recognized National Center for Construction Education and Research (NCCER) Core Construction program at TCICC. It enables them to immediately apply and hone the foundational skills acquired in the classroom through real-world, hands-on engagement on active construction sites.
The program follows a structured dual model: full 8-hour paid workdays on active Windward construction sites managed by Core Construction, including Arc at South Bank, designed by world-renowned architect, Piero Lissoni, and Nivå on Turtle Tail, designed by Magnus Ström of Ström Architects, followed by evening classroom and practicum workshop training and sessions delivered by TCICC’s instructors at its East Campus.
The trainees will complete approximately 87.5 hours of foundational theoretical instruction across safety, construction mathematics, hand and power tools, blueprint reading, and basic rigging, supported by face-to-face classroom theory, hands-on workshop practicals, and augmented and virtual reality simulations.
Upon completing the NCCER Core Curriculum/Certification, trainees have the opportunity to progress to Level 1 specialized craft training across disciplines including carpentry, electrical, plumbing, HVACR, and welding. In addition, at the conclusion of the apprenticeship period, there is a guaranteed offer of full-time employment with Core Construction for a minimum of one year.
The program is the first in the Turks and Caicos Islands in the area of construction to combine paid, on-site work experience with internationally recognized credentials and guaranteed employment in a single, continuous pathway.
"Windward is extremely proud to be a Founding Partner of this initiative. Across all our projects, past and present, we have always looked for ways to return value to our community, whether through participation in initiatives, contributing to community infrastructure, or building it ourselves. We pride ourselves on projects that stand the test of time and add long-lasting value to the communities in which they are built. Arc is a unique opportunity to expose our young apprentices to world-class design and modern construction techniques, and through our partnership with Core Construction and the Turks and Caicos Islands Community College, we are investing in our most valuable asset, the young people of this country. We would very much like to make this type of partnership a standard in the industry, as opposed to an exception. Because not only can we build better structures, but brighter futures."
Ivor Stanbrook, Director, Windward
"This is not just the launch of an apprenticeship program. For us, it is a statement about the future of this country, about who it belongs to.
For too long, we have measured development by the things we can see — the resorts, the marinas, the villas. But a country like the Turks and Caicos Islands is not only about what is built. It is about the people that build it. And if the buildings rise and our people do not rise with them, we have measured the wrong thing. Through this program, we are turning the language of opportunity into its machinery. A skill is not just a job. A job can be lost. But a skill can travel with you — from employment to ownership, it can earn a wage, build a home, and give young people the dignity and leverage that an economy like ours demands. The young people who pass through this program will not only build projects. They will build this country."
Kyle Smith, Director, Windward
"Construction is one of the most significant industries in the Turks and Caicos Islands, and it should be one where local talent leads.
Through the projects we are developing, we are not only building infrastructure — we are contributing to the growth and long-term development of the islands. But today, we are here to celebrate something even more important — the opportunity to invest in people. This program reflects our commitment not only to deliver construction projects, but to share knowledge, develop local talent, and support the next generation of construction professionals. We see this as a long-term commitment, not a one-time initiative."
Liliana Navarro, Financial and Administrative Director, Core Construction
"This event represents far more than the launch of a program. It is a launch of opportunity.
Through internationally recognized NCCER training, paid apprenticeships, hands-on industry experience, and a pathway to full-time employment, we are creating opportunities for young Turks and Caicos Islanders to develop the skills, the confidence, and the qualifications needed to succeed in the construction industry. To our corporate citizens and public stakeholders, partner with your local community college. Invest in apprenticeships, internships, and workforce training. Together, we can build a stronger, more skilled, more resilient workforce in the Turks and Caicos Islands."
Dr. Candice Williams, President and CEO, Turks and Caicos Islands Community College
The program has drawn strong support from the Turks and Caicos Islands Government, with the Ministries of Education and Youth, Physical Planning and Infrastructure Development, Immigration, and Tourism all recognizing the initiative as a meaningful contribution to the islands' workforce development priorities.
“This is indeed true collaboration in action. The 2026 cohort represents the inaugural class of what Windward, Core Construction, and the Turks and Caicos Islands Community College intend to grow into a flagship annual program.
This is not a one‑off initiative, it is the beginning of a sustained national effort. Our intentionality, our planning, and our shared commitment will help close the skills gap in the construction sector and ensure that our workforce development remains consistent, structured, and future‑focused. For the seven trainees who began earlier this month, this moment represents far more than training. It marks the start of a career built on real work, real standards, and a real stake in the future of the Turks and Caicos Islands. They are not just learning a trade, they are stepping into a pathway that strengthens our communities, supports our economy, and builds the very foundation of our nation’s growth.”
Hon. Rachel Taylor, Minister of Education and Youth, Turks and Caicos Islands
Appeal to Industry Partners
TCICC warmly invites other industry stakeholders, contractors, and construction professionals to partner with the Community College in this important initiative. By collaborating, we can ensure that every registered trainee in the NCCER Core program benefits from this same high-impact, immersive apprenticeship experience thus bridging the gap between training and real-world application, strengthening the local workforce, and building a more skilled and resilient construction sector in the Turks and Caicos Islands.
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