Public Works Ministry Provides Five Scholarships
[Updated w/PLP comment] In collaboration with the National Training Board, the Ministry of Public Works is providing sponsorship to five students to attend the New England Institute of Technology for the 2012-2013 school year.
The students are Dornielle Farrell – Associate Programme in Automotive Technology, Sergio Richardson – Associate Programme in Automotive Technology, Jonte Smith – Associate Programme in Automotive Technology, Ricardo Dias – Associates Programme in Body and Paint Technology, and Dajon Carey – Bachelors Programme Service Management Technology.
Minister of Public Works Trevor Moniz recently greeted the students at the L.F. International Airport before they departed for the New England Institute of Technology.
“It gives me great pleasure to officially launch a new technical education initiative that is aimed at promoting a sustainable workforce. Our Senior Management team has worked tirelessly to assess the current employee complement within the Ministry of Public Works Operations and Engineering,” Minister Moniz said.
He continued: “The demand for certified professionals today is unprecedented. It is the intent of the National Training Board and the Department of Public Works through this partnership, to continue to emphasize the importance of qualifications and certifications as a way to demonstrate knowledge, skills and competency.
“It is also a way to allow for the continuance of operations for generations with individuals who are professional, proficient and committed in a vocational occupation.”
“We are grateful for the relationship that we have with the New England Institute of Technology through the NTB to allow a consistent approach in the development of local talent. Thank you for assisting us in building a stronger and more sustainable Bermuda,” the Minister concluded.
Update 2.13pm: A statement issued by the PLP said they were “pleased to note that the OBA government has continued with this initiative started under our government.
“We are confident that these young gentlemen will benefit greatly from the opportunity to train at the New England Institute of Technology,” the PLP said.
“This programme, in collaboration with the National Training Board, offers students access to opportunities to gain technical education certifications and return to Bermuda qualified and able to enter the workforce.”
Shadow Minister of Public Works Derrick Burgess said: “I am very pleased that these young gentlemen have headed off to further their education and develop skillsets that will enable them to return to Bermuda, qualified and ready to get to work. We are proud that this relationship was started under a PLP Government and we note the fact that the OBA Government has endorsed the value of this program by continuing it.”
“The PLP congratulates these gentlemen on taking this next step in their education, and wishes them well in their studies and career development,” Mr Burgess concluded.
This is good news – I applaud the young men and wish them well in their pursuit of higher education.
I must point out, however, that this could not be a “new technical education initiative” – - these scholarships would have been in the works under the previous government. The relationship with the New England Institute of Technology would have been forged over a period of time – a bit longer than just 1 month.
All I ask is that we, the people, give credit where credit is due – - plain and simple.
Please don’t jump on the bandwagon and insist that the OBA are doing this and that – - we all need to honest about their recent “achievements”, but I look forward to giving the new government credit when they deserve it – true.
Yng Black Mind
(those who know understand)
I think most people are quite prepared to give the former govt some props where it is duee. But you seem unnecessarily fixated on the word ‘new’ as if it’s a synonym for ‘nothing to do with the PLP’. It would have been just as new an initiative if launched on Dec 16 as if launched today.
But perhaps more importantly, the Minister also did thank his senior management team who “worked tirelessly to assess the current employee complement within the Ministry of Public Works Operations and Engineering”. The same team who served the former Minister, and who probably deserves more praise for the initiative than any politician.
Good work sending these young men abroad to learn trades,we need more young tradesmen in this island.This is refreshing
What you think the gov has been doing for the last 10 years?
I totally agree. This is the work of the PLP Government but the new Minister made sure he was there for the photo-op.
Looting and destroying the private sector so that even qualified Bermudians can’t find a decent job in their field of choice…
You fail to realise how Govt sometimes works. Ministers are often told where to be by their dept directors or PS’s.
This initiative is the reason why I am upset with both political parties mentioning hiring freezes for the civil service. We have young people who are qualified or actively looking to become qualified, and should be given the opportunity to earn positions in a competitive manner.
Do away with hiring freezes and introduce a healthy competition for jobs within the public service instead of constantly tenuring positions.
remember the young men that former government sent over to Atlantic City for a course in Dry Walling – research that article and I can tell you that all or most of them are not working and the reason – NOT QUALIFIED.
The drywallers were NOT sent to Atlantic City. And all of them are indeed employed. Research THAT before you type.
The UBP government was the one who got rid of the National Training Board before now that the UBP are back in yea I said it the UBP same party they will try and make it look like they care. Many young black men were educated for free under a PLP government who put the NTB back in place so young men would be afforded the opportunity to go to school.Many of these young men are now at home working at Tynes Bay giving back and making a difference in our community. Thank you PLP for that. Let’s not forget people
The National Training Board’s number is 292-3700. Call them and I’m sure you will find that they are open for business and have been for quite a while.
@ diva you should read what I said carefully and anyone who knows what I said would know what I’m talking about.
The NTB are gone?.. When did that happen B3rmud!@n ?
People keep in mind we will have 2000 jobs created,you will find more students coming back and finding work in which they are qualified to do.
Not according to poster Autumn Fire who has remarked that there are sooooooo many young Bermudians becoming doctors, lawyers & pilots. These doctors, lawyers & pilots will want to move away from the island according to Autumn Fire leaving jobs available for foreigners. Funny thing is that even Bermudian students who become doctors & lawyers will make more IF they get a job here than the majority of the other places in the world. Even these young Bermudians in the article will find a better pay grade here than other places.
Either way this is still a good initial start for the Minister of Public Works push for employment of Bermudians. Hopefully Minister Fahy is also looking into plans to insure fair opportunity for employment of Bermudians.
@ God 1st I hope that’s a joke. 2000 jobs were going to come about anyway. Students are and have been coming back and still can’t find work……
Tell me which companies are providing these 2000 jobs because my mama and my brother need one.
and if you believe that, then i have some swamp land to sell you!!!!
He-he , it’s great to see Trebor Monies grinning while carrying out the PLP initiative .
To my son,
This can be you. Don’t give up!
So! An excellent initiative started by the PLP that has not been cut!
Maybe, despite last year’s propaganda, there will be other worthwhile initiatives that will continue – and maybe there will even be some that get ‘tweaked’ so they better serve our community.
Congratulations to these young men. Wish there had been a couple of women included – one doesn’t have to be a lesbian to like painting cars or fixing engines. Was this even available to women?
I still remember the struggle my mom had to go through to be allowed to join the carpentry and joinery classes at Technical Institute. That was nearly 50 years ago. Has anything changed? I hope so.
With so many single-mom-breadwinners out there seeking work, I hope the National Training Board and Minister Moniz will ensure that women are invited to be included in such opportunities in the future.
I’m a single mom and looking to go up to the college and get a degree in education would I be able to get a loan to go up there
Hmmm rather than some fairy tale free college, how about a discount for single mothers looking to get a degree in education to educate others? I know its my idea but I like the sound of that better than creating debt for yourself. Any other opinions?
I think that’s a good idea. Many think a loan is the solution but once graduated play catch up with their debt while still trying to make ends meet.
Much success to these young men. Jonte, we are very proud of you and keep the faith!
my boi stickz yh boi do yah thing b
see yu when yu reach back
Well the NTB should look at their own standards that they are asking for, for trained automotive technicians. An associates degree in automotive tech is worth nothing, they need to be trained properly. If they go to the US they need to get ASE certified, the UK City and Guilds, Canada Red Seal. So after the NTB have sent these guys away, they will still have to pass a local exam, after 4 years still not set, before a garage can let them work on vehicles.
So I hope the OBA tweaks this programme.
Since someone can get ASE certified by passing an online test provided by the same institute that created this certification I don’t see your point. If they can get an associates in this field in hands on & theory training why wouldn’t they be able to pass local or even an online ASE exam for that matter? I would rather know that someone can fix my vehicle with their hands & not in theory to deem them certified. This just sounds like an excuse a employer would use for immigration to get a permit passed.
Someone needs to look at the NTB as they are failing Bermuda even though this is a good thing ask them what they been doing before the election nothing. I have worked close with them and found that their officers are lazy and just collecting a check.
We should not be focusing on which party start the initiative. I am one of the recipients and I am focused on attaining my goal with the assistance of NTB and W&E so I can give back to my country an help pave a way for other young Bermudians who are trying to pursue a higher education as well. I am tired of hearing people saying PLP did this and UBP did this. We are one, either PLP or UBP(OBA)we still function as one. So do us a favor and please support NTB,W&E, AND THE Bermuda government. Stop trying to pull each other down with the past. One Love Bermuda, we need to help each other in order to make a better future. #ONELOVE