Minister Announces Landscaping Job Fair
On Thursday, March 10th, the Department of Labour and Training will partner with approximately 20 landscape gardening companies to host a Job Fair at the Bermuda College.
In the Senate this morning [Mar.2], Minister of the Economy, Trade & Industry Kim Wilson announced the job fair saying, “Here in Bermuda landscape gardening is an area of industry that is dominated by non-Bermudian workers. You will recall Madam President that it was one of the categories included in the recently announced moratorium on work permits.”
The last job fair, which was Hospitality themed, was held on February 17, saw hundreds of people show up seeking employment.
The Minister’s full remarks follow below:
Madam President, I am pleased to inform Senate that on Thursday, March 10, 2011 that the Department of Labour and Training will partner with approximately 20 Landscape Gardening companies to host a Job Fair.
Madam President this area of industry would be ideal for former construction workers and skilled tradesmen and women looking to transition into another area to learn new skills.
Here in Bermuda landscape gardening is an area of industry that is dominated by non-Bermudian workers.
You will recall Madam President that it was one of the categories included in the recently announced moratorium on work permits.
Following the moratorium announcement a group of landscape gardening companies formed a loose knit Landscape Gardener Association. The budding association was represented at the meeting by representatives from Almeida’s Landscaping, Greenway Landscaping and Crown Landscaping. I was pleased to meet with the group to learn about the sector and of their challenges and experiences. Our meeting was hugely productive and as a result of the Association’s efforts, we are pleased to be able to collaborate to present the Landscape Gardener Job Fair.
Madam President, Landscape Gardeners work with other trades to carry out landscaping operations in a variety of environments. These include residential, commercial and public grounds; playgrounds; golf courses; and plant and tree nurseries.
A landscape gardener generally cleans grounds, using rakes, brooms, and hoses. He or she may be required to spray trees and shrubs, and apply supplemental liquid and dry nutrients to lawns and trees. Other job functions may require the digging of trenches and installation of drain tiles.
During a normal work day a landscape gardener might:
- Analyze soil and amend it as necessary to prepare the ground for planting;
- identify, plant, transplant and maintain flowers and ground covers;
- assist in the installation of rock gardens, ponds, decks, drainage systems, retaining walls, fences, planters and/or playground equipment;
- establish and care for lawns;
- trim and prune hedges and shrubs;
- identify plant diseases and insect problems;
- apply fertilizers and pesticides (under supervision);and
- assist in the installation, operation, and maintenance of irrigation systems.
To be successful in this field you must love working with your hands and enjoy the great outdoors. While some of the areas in this field are highly technical and require some specialist training and years of experience, there are also entry level posts wherein interested persons can learn and grow in the industry.
Typically, landscape gardeners work in teams. The team leader is generally a more experienced landscape gardener who can direct on-site activity and provide the training and technical support required for the less experienced team members.
Notwithstanding that the work is outdoors, interested persons should prepare for this job fair in much the same way that they would any other job fair. A neat, well groomed appearance, a resume, and a pleasant attitude generally go a long way to impressing a prospective employer.
I am encouraging any person that enjoys working with their hands and loves the great outdoors to attend the Landscape Gardener Job Fair on Thursday, March 10th, 2011 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Bermuda College.
I will personally be on hand at the Bermuda College to participate in the Job Fair and I look forward to discussing careers in the landscape gardening industry with my fellow Bermudians.
Thank you Madam President.
This is all good so it seems but I think the minister needs to pull her head up out of the sand abit to smell the fresh air and face the truth of the matter,many of these firms in landscaping dont want the bermudian working for them because they enjoy the benefits of exploiting the forein worker,most of these firms you have to work six days a week and some seven,you are ask to work a minimium of 14 hours perday when it is their season and 12 hours a day when its not,in most cases they only have a half hour for lunch. wher do see the average bermudian giving all these long hours and few benefits to make a living in a country that demands so much of you just for survival and then expect that same person to have a life and be a part of a country that says we need to do more,hard work is one thing when it comes to sacrifice and doing what you have to do to get ahead,but most people do this when it is them that is getting ahead and prospering,but what i see in some of these landscaping firms is outright modern day slavery and dare not ask the non bermudian what they think of their job or an employer because they have already been told that their are planes that leave L.F Wade international everyday.
Job fairs are good if we can balance the economy and make our island home a more affordable place to live but i see these job fairs as a way for the ministers to say we offered you a carrot and you did not meet the mark ,so we will continue to prostitute our own for the sake of the greedy.
The Minister is spot on. Too many damn expats here mowing, growing and shipping overseas.
Time to take back the land.
Entry levels positions……Westgate…dors open……
Pembroke Dump can be a starting point.
Using hand tools lets get these entrants working to plant, maintain and havest Cannabis.
Full employment. Next move on to Spittal Pond and Warwick Pond area’s. Great drainage, moisture, wind resistant.
There will also be a “working will your hands” area…Bagging, passing, using cycles for distribution, slapping, stabbing, shooting, steering and how not to sign statements forum.
Grow Bermuda. Don’t mow unless you grow. For those that mow and grow there will be a $100,000 a day entry fee to help with the debt and free parking at the old “NOB” Annex.
Can we have this for all large sector job categories like service providers and waiters for Restaurants ect?^^
Please be sure to write an article reporting how many Bermudians show up for this…
I totally agree with u on this one “Good luck”!
Bermudians reading the wrong directions for fertiliser mixture ratios and pesticides is what has killed all the land crabs that used to inhabit our south shore beaches!!! Remember when they used to cross de road in droves. Not anymore.
that’s actually not quite true.. the crabs “disappeared” with the reintroduction of Heron’s on the Island.
Baloney!
Bermuda should have NEVER allowed pesticides/herbicides in the first place. They are not necessary. Many other ways to accomplish what a pesticide does. They do WAY more destruction than benefit. Please do some research on Monsanto’s round up and the horrible things it is doing.
It’s the UBP’s fault. They even introduced “Crabs” into personal hygene….or ‘Hi Jene’.
Now they want to rid the island of ‘Geehias”…………………………….
@ Grahame….Use the yellow pages……………………white pages are racist. Of all people……..
@ Mr Santucci half a loaf is better than no loaf at all, or take what you get until you get what you want. Pessimism = Negativity we compalin and say Govt does nothing, then when they at least try to do something we greet it with all the negative isims. Keep on doing your job Minister Wilson one of the few that actually earns their salary.
Senator Wilson. The Mona Lisa of the PLP.
Credit where credit is due.
Pat,
Please please block Terry from posting on this site. His nonsense is ruining intelligent discussion.
Yes Pat – please either ban Terry or only post his comments when they make clear sense. He is annoying and makes me not want to read bernews. It’s a shame that one bad apple can ruin it for the rest.
I think the job fair is a good idea. I also think it woudld be a good idea for the food industry too (ie sandwich makers, waiters etc). But as Good Luck states, I am a little concerned with how many will actually show up? As a Bermudian, I have an issue with having somebody from East Asia spreading peanut butter on my sandwich at lunch when so many Bermudian’s are out of work, but i can only assume that they got their permit because no Bermudian’s applied for the job. The one thing that i don’t understand is why somebody would rather make $0 than $35,000 per annum because they think they are worth $50,000? It’s bizarre to me. But then, i was brought up in an environment where you work, and the harder you work, the better you succeeded. Started with bagging groceries and went from there… Anyway, i digress.
@ Hudson..you are correct. It scares me that the people making these sandwiches do not speak English and can’t understand that me saying “no onion” has nothing to do with whether or not I need a fork&knife.. Who did they interview with , but ppl are happy and “buzzing” their way to get a sandwich. The cashier just nods… and they seem to make up their own prices as they go. Makes me wonder if they can do simple math. I know a few teenagers that can make milk shakes and sandwiches this summer >>OH ! and they speak English and won’t jip the customers!
So these Bermudian English speaking teenagers you refer to – do you honestly think they will show up for work every day they are scheduled? On time? Drug free? Complaint free? Pants pulled all the way up? No airs of entitlement? No gang BS? If so, maybe people will start patronizing those establishments. Until then, people are going to go to places where foreigners work because we know we will get better service, reliable service, service without attitude, without an air of entitlement…
Look at Greg’s Steakhouse – PERFECT EXAMPLE – he only employed Bermudians – even trained them for jobs in hospitality and culinary arts! Where did that get him? He’s one of the only restaurants that had to close doors in Hamilton. Hiring Bermudians really hurt his business. I went there ONCE and vowed never to go back again…and never did. Clearly I’m not the only person with that same sentiment.
It’s sad, but this is the reality in Bermuda. Shameful.
@ Hudson…I agree with you 100%…I do think that many Bermudians feel that they are worth more than what is being oferred but SOMETHING IS BETTER THAN NOTHING!!!!!