Video: Minister Minors On Job Creation

February 24, 2012

[Updated with video] Government’s job placement and retraining efforts are being tailored to meet the needs of both those seeking work and employers, Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry Patrice Minors said today [Feb.24].

Speaking at a Government press conference following the release of the Budget statement, Ms Minors said her Ministry would be redoubling its efforts to put Bermudians back to work in the 2012/13 fiscal year with a series of programmes.

“The One-Stop Career Centre will provide a single point for assistance, helping the person who comes in whether the reason is wrongful dismissal, unemployment, career advancement or training,” she said. “The process will have greater integration between these functions, thereby making services more ‘user friendly’.”

In order to better fulfill its mandate, a central Hamilton building has been earmarked to house this programme.

“The community can expect that the Department of Labour and Training will move to the government-owned facility that formally housed Magistrates Court,” she said.

The Minister also revealed that in order to launch a Job Corps Programme, Bermuda’s Government has entered into a contractual agreement with Olde International.

“Odle International will facilitate the Bermuda Job Training Programme,” she said. “Training commences February 28th, 2012 for the Phase I.

“Odle International will serve as Subject Matter Experts for the Government of Bermuda to establish our policies and procedures that will govern the Job Training Replication Programme, with collaborative efforts supported by Memoranda of Understanding [MOUs] with the One-Stop Career Center, Bermuda College and other related entities.”

Ms Minors said a number of public and private stakeholders have agreed to serve on core groups associated with this new initiative.

“These stakeholders will work with the Government to develop all rules, regulations, policies and procedures that will govern the operations of the Bermuda-based Job Corps programme once it is up and running,” she said.

The Minister’s full statement follows below:

Good Afternoon

I’m pleased to provide a brief overview of the direction that the Ministry will take as it moves to drive economic growth and create employment opportunities during the next fiscal year.

In accordance with our mandate to improve the economy by addressing the needs of local business and realizing the career aspirations of Bermudians, the community can expect new programmes to launch next fiscal designed to assist specific target segments. These include:

  • Recent high school graduates;
  • Recent college graduates;
  • Lower skilled adults seeking employment;
  • Experienced and qualified technical skilled adults seeking employment; and
  • Experienced and qualified professional adults seeking employment

Our aim is to help these groups “reinvent’”themselves, so they are “job ready” to work within the current job market. For most, it will mean starting a programme to upgrade or change their skills. For some, it will mean taking a job that they may feel is below their skill level, while they learn new skills to meet the requirements for a better paying job.

Our recent job placement and retraining efforts have focused on one segment, mainly lower skilled jobs however the community can expect the launch of programmes directed at assisting recent college graduates who may be unable to find employment given their lack of experience as well as re-training and job placement programmes for experienced professionals.

Preliminary stakeholder consultation with respect to the development of these programmes has already commenced to ensure that these programmes meet the needs of both the job seeker and the prospective employers.

You will know doubt be aware that people who come to the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry for help often have multiple needs.

The One-Stop Career Centre will provide a single point for assistance, helping the person who comes in whether the reason is wrongful dismissal, unemployment, career advancement or training. The process will have greater integration between these functions, thereby making services more “user friendly.”

In order to effectively achieve this mandate and better service the people of Bermuda a facility that is fit for purpose is required.

The community can expect that the Department of Labour and Training will move to the government-owned facility that formally housed Magistrates Court. I can share that the preliminary drawings have been approved and planning is in progress.

Meanwhile, in an effort to realize the Job Corps Programme, the Government has entered into a contractual agreement with Olde International to guide us through the planning phase of the Job Corps Replication programme.

Odle International will facilitate the Bermuda Job Training Programme. Training commences February 28th, 2012 for the Phase I.

Odle International will serve as Subject Matter Experts for the Government of Bermuda to establish our policies and procedures that will govern the Job Training Replication Programme, with collaborative efforts supported by Memoranda of Understanding (MOUs) with the One-Stop Career Center, Bermuda College and other related entities.

A host of local public and private stakeholders have agreed to serve on core groups. These stakeholders will work with the Government to develop all rules, regulations, policies and procedures that will govern the operations of the Bermuda-based Job Corps programme once it is up and running.

In an ongoing effort to address the stabilization of the economy and unemployment from a different angle we are doing all that we can to let the international business community know that “‘Bermuda is open for business.”

When international businesses set up in Bermuda it creates a “multiplier effect” in the formation of jobs – direct jobs within the companies, which in turn create jobs for people in the construction, housing, service and hospitality sectors.

The 10-year work permit is one of tools being used to secure jobs. These permits are issued to senior executives in the international business sector wherein the post holder is supported by other workers, many of whom are Bermudian. The granting of these permits therefore secures jobs for Bermudians.

Recently upon approving a 10-year work permit I recognized the milestone as a signal that the International Business Community has confidence in Bermuda.

Generally, it is expected that the work permit processing procedures will be overhauled to effect a more rapid processing and response time in our efforts to better meet the needs of the business community. There will also be a new website and other communications changes.

This represents only an overview of the plans for fiscal 2012/13.

Thank you.

-

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Comments (6)

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  1. MinorMatters says:

    I wish this government would spend an equal amount of time in CREATING WEALTH, INVESTMENTS and INWARD REVENUE FLOWS as they do abour creating jobs. IF we get the money to come, we will create jobs by default…duh. What are the talented ministers doing in that regard? Which of the world shakers and movers are being courted by our Bermuda Government to invest and spend their money in Bermuda or is this Government concerning itself with being spiteful with the Work Permits and being focused on creating job-corps schemes. Honestly…shaking my damn head.

  2. smh 2 says:

    -What are the talented ministers doing in that regard?-

    Maybe your first mistake is in believing that we have any ‘talented ministers’.

    Unelectable anywhere else in the world but Bermuda .

    As they say .. just saying

  3. Legal Reasons? says:

    Odle International? tried Googling it and nothing came up… anybody knows about it?

  4. observer says:

    Unfortunately, she is clueless!! We have people running the country with not business/ownership experience telling people who are creating jobs what to do with their businesses. Sorry minister, people will close their businesses or become one or two man shows before hiring people that will not be profitable the the company. I know you won’t understand this, and that is the sorry part???

  5. jim says:

    Re Odle Int’l, try this link, seems to fit. Lots of experience with US Gov’t contracts and appears to know how to work the Federal system.

    http://www.sba.gov/sba-100/odle-management-group

  6. Anon Ymous says:

    ….or possibly Odell International, Charlotte, NC, if not the one above.