Government Provides $120K Summer Job Funding
Government is allocating an additional $120,000 to a summer employment programme which will provide jobs for 120 young people.
Twenty university students started their jobs today [July 9], and Government anticipates that they can assist roughly 100 more young people find employment for the latter part of this summer.
The funds for the programme will come from the Unemployment Insurance Fund, with the students being given offering Government-funded paid internships with various businesses.
“Ladies and gentlemen, the fact that we have taken steps to financially bolster this programme demonstrates that we are heavily vested in our young people,” said Minister Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry Patrice Minors.
Premier and Minister of Finance Paula Cox said: “Last year this government decided to use monies that were in the Unemployment Insurance Fund, to assist Bermudians in seeking employment.
“These funds were used to provide a number of programmes that saw Bermudians gain valuable training to upgrade their skills so that they could re-enter the workforce.
“Recently it came to our attention that 2 of our summer employment programmes within Government – The Summer Employment Programme for college students and the Summer Internship Programme for High School Students – were oversubscribed.
“As Premier and Minister of Finance I view it as the Government’s priority to make sure that we invest in our young people and their futures.
“Today I am happy to announce that between the Ministry of Finance and the Ministry of Economy Trade & Industry, we have indentified additional funding to provide 119 more of our future leaders with employment opportunities this summer.”
Minister Minors full statement follows below:
Mme Premier, members of the media – good afternoon.
I am simply delighted today to be able to highlight a very positive and worthwhile initiative.
Ladies and gentlemen, the Summer Employment and Summer Internship Programmes, are seen as two of our most critical initiatives.
We recognise that it is important that we provide genuine opportunities for our next generation whether they are embarking on their studies or about to enter into the workforce by affording our young people access to real-world work experience, training and support.
Ladies and gentlemen, as you heard the Premier state, we have managed to inject some much needed funding into these important programmes.
Some $120,000 will go towards assisting our young people in our community – a combination of high school and college aged students.
With the injection of funding, we have managed to assist 20 additional university students with finding jobs. These individuals start today. Additionally, we are anticipating that we can assist roughly 100 more young people find employment for the latter part of this summer.
Ladies and gentlemen, the fact that we have taken steps to financially bolster this programme demonstrates that we are heavily vested in our young people.
It’s important to us that our students are exposed to various work environments which stimulate their career interests.
So ladies and gentlemen, today’s announcement is a tangible demonstration that we are ensuring fairness and opportunities for Bermudians.
It is a demonstration that we are committed to ensuring that our young people are provided the right access to the real world work and training opportunities.
And it is a demonstration that we are making sure and steady progress in assisting one of the most vital segments of our population – our young people.
My final comments today are directed at our employers as well as to our participating youngsters.
To our business partners, I want to encourage you to contact the Ministry to offer your assistance in placing the young people who are seeking a chance at employment. Together, Government and businesses must stand up for Bermudians.
We are doing our part by offering paid internships and I cannot think of a better way to show good corporate responsibility than by welcoming these young people into your establishments and businesses so they can learn what it means to be a productive and contributing member of our community.
To those young people who are a part of this programme, quite simply – you are Bermuda’s future.
And we will continue to help in any way we can in equipping you to successfully make your way in what is becoming an increasingly competitive work force.
Once again, thank you very much Premier – the Ministry and our young people are very grateful for the generosity shown by the Ministry of Finance.
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The Premier’s full statement follows below:
Good afternoon:
It is a pleasure to be here today to let you know how this government stands strong for Bermudians and will continue to support our young people as they engage in positive activities.
Last year this government decided to use monies that were in the Unemployment Insurance Fund, to assist Bermudians in seeking employment.
These funds were used to provide a number of programmes that saw Bermudians gain valuable training to upgrade their skills so that they could re-enter the workforce.
Recently it came to our attention that 2 of our summer employment programmes within Government – The Summer Employment Programme for college students and the Summer Internship Programme for High School Students – were oversubscribed.
As Premier and Minister of Finance I view it as the Government’s priority to make sure that we invest in our young people and their futures.
Today I am happy to announce that between the Ministry of Finance and the Ministry of Economy Trade & Industry, we have indentified additional funding to provide 119 more of our future leaders with employment opportunities this summer.
Most of this funding will come from the remaining monies in the Unemployment Insurance Fund.
In a few minutes Minister Minors will speak to the specifics, but before she does I would like to thank the Minister, the Department of Labour & Training, and the Community Education & Development programme for the work that they are doing in developing our young people.
Budgets are not just about numbers on a page, they are about people, and the Ministry of Finance and this Government have the people as the priority.
This action that we announce today is in keeping with Government’s Commitment to solve problems and provide opportunities for Bermudians.
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So, they have given up on the Unemployment Insurance Fund?
Will they get paid at the end of the summer like the current summer students? Who thought that was a bright idea?
Politricks stand in front of the camera day by day, keep rolling out initiatives, get young people on TV and in the news, the families will no doubt give the PLP the vote. We are going to see a lot more Politricks in the up coming months, right up to the election, just like Col. Burch Adopting a school.
$120.000,00 devided by 120 students…. = $1000.00 per student for the whole summer? I realize that this is an internship…. But wow, talk about minimum wage!
It clearly states that an ADDITIONAL $120K was allocated to the program. There is no mention of the total funding for the programs.
I applied for the program and clearly didn’t make the 100, but you receive 5k at the end of summer
You mean IB won’t pay for this, so the Govt pays them next to nothing to take on people they didn’t want to take on. More papering of the cracks Paula.
So one minister’s pay could fund all these summer jobs? Sure 2, if not 1, university student could do a better job than a few of the tools, I mean ministers…let alone 120.
And good point soooo, 1000 bucks a student! Either a mistake in writing Orr government continuing to rip off the ppl of Bermuda…….this time, the students!
Just do your job. No one cares you’re giving summer jobs, it’s no change from every other summer….
The private sector working population is funding this, not GUMMINT. It is called taxation.
looks like buying more votes if you ask me. With money that falls out of the sky like here in Bermuda people will be calling it another world for generations to come.
The problem is there are going to be no jobs for these young people once they get out of college. Right now young adults are coming back with degrees and no jobs are available in their field of study let alone for a pay check. Not only do they have limited job opportunities but an ever increasing Government dept that they and their children will have to pay off for years to come.
Which is why most of us are planning on running off to Europe / Canada / USA etc. Houses are ridiculously expensive, so unless you have a family home that is being passed down to you, you’re screwed. The cost of living is skyrocketing, and Bermuda in general seems to be on the decline (morals, values, crime, schooling) in my opinion. As soon as the wages dry up, that’s it.
I graduate next year and plan on undertaking my masters, then after that I honestly don’t think I will be coming back to this island except to visit family every now and then (same for my sibling and a couple of cousins). The money may be great for now, but other than that this island really isn’t offering anything substantial to the future generations.
People please keep in mind that we have at least 200+ young people off the streets involved in the day-to-day workings of our business sector. They are being exposed to how the real world operates. Please stop with the negativity as you are losing site of the big picture – real work exposure for our kids to motivate them to aspire to become apart of our business environment and contribute to our society. The private sector is laying people off left, right and centre; there are no funds to hire summer students (especially at the high school level). There would be no summer employment for the vast majority if not for these two summer programmes (HS age and college students).
I get it the gov’t has failed us for the most part – but please when there is something good to speak of let’s put the negativity aside, at least for the moment (this article).