Summer Landscape Gardening Programme Planned

Mr. Speaker, I’m pleased to rise this morning to highlight summer 2012 training and engagement efforts designed to expose interested young people to careers in the horticultural field.

Though here in Bermuda we tend to think about horticulture exclusively in terms of landscaping jobs, an area where there are indeed career opportunities for Bermudians, it is important to note that there are opportunities that extend beyond landscaping.

Mr. Speaker, Horticulture is said to be an interesting and refreshing vocational field. A person who enjoys working with plants, soil, and the environment or who has an interest in nature, ecology or growing things is ideally suited for a career in horticulture; the more education and training that one has in this area, the greater the opportunities both locally and internationally.

Mr. Speaker, industry reports suggest that increased interest in the quality of the environment, conservation, and restoration projects are stimulating growth in the horticulture industry worldwide. On a local level, where job opportunities continue to exist, quality nursery and landscape operations require skilled, educated people.

Therefore Mr. Speaker, I’m pleased to advise this Honourable House that the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry in cooperation with the Landscaping Association of Bermuda will launch the Summer Landscaping and Gardening Programme 2012. This eight week programme will launch on the 9th July and run through 31 August, 2012.

This programme is designed to engage 25 young high school students ages 15–18 in various aspects of landscaping, gardening, and horticultural activities. Students will be exposed to the broad range of available career options and opportunities in the industry.

All 25 students are young men who will be matched with Association members as a part of this summer engagement programme. The students will shadow industry professionals and their work will be monitored by Coordinators from the Community Education and Development Programme section of the Department of Community and Cultural Affairs.

The students will be paid a stipend of $475 at the end of the month long programme; the cost of which will be split between Government and the participating Landscaping Association members. The programme consists of two cohorts, one in July and one in August.

Mr. Speaker, to further supplement the development of local talent in the Horticultural field, a summer Certificate in Basic Horticultural Programme launched on 14th May, 2012 at the Bermuda College with twelve participants sourced primarily from the Department of Labour and Training’s unemployment database. Mr. Omari Dill, President of UTOPIA Ltd. is the instructor for this programme.

Mr. Speaker, the programme will run through the 13th July, 2012 and participants will attend classes at the Bermuda College on Mondays through Wednesdays from 9 am – 4 pm. On Thursdays they will apply their learning in the field with participating industry partners.

Their field work will include visits to Non-such island where they will learn about plant species and the importance of conservation. This component of the programme will be facilitated by Mr. Jeremy Mederios, Conservation Officer for the Bermuda Government.

In addition, Mr. Jeff Sousa of Sousa’s Landscaping will facilitate the industry expectations, roles and responsibilities component of the programme; while Chris Williamson of Marsh Folly Horticulture Waste Facility is expected to introduce participants to the disposal process as it relates to creating and harvesting compost inclusive of demonstrating the various uses of this material for horticulture purposes.

Participants in this programme are age 18 – 24 years and successful graduates are expected to move on to gainful employment within the industry following completion of the programme.

Mr. Speaker, participants will experience a full curriculum that includes eleven modules with fifteen core subjects. English Language for the Workplace, Applied Math, Soft Skills and Work Binder presentations are also core components of this training.

Honourable Members will recall that the Certificate in Basic Horticulture Programme launched at the Bermuda College on the 8th September, 2011 with sixteen participants in the first cohort. I am pleased to share today that it is expected that eight students will successfully completed the programme and graduate on the 14th June, 2012.

It is intended that these participants will continue towards obtaining internationally recognized certifications such as City and Guilds (UK) or Red Seal (Canadian) which will enhance their career development prospects.

The Summer Basic Horticulture Programme was a natural extension of the launch programme and is being built into our core programming as the Ministry endeavours to provide continuous learning and training opportunities in those areas where there is an obvious need for qualified resources in the local marketplace.

Mr. Speaker, training, in terms of time, effort and expense, is an investment which will pay dividends in securing employment and future career advancement for all Bermudians.

The Ministry will continue to work with industry partners on programmes designed to meet the needs of the labour market now and in the future and I take this opportunity to thank the Bermuda College and the Landscaping Association of Bermuda for their ongoing support and willingness to partner with the Ministry to develop local talent.

Thank you Mr. Speaker.

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