Six Bermudians To Train As Repair Technicians
[Updated with video] Earlier today [Mar 25] the Minister of Home Affairs Michael Fahy announced that the first set of trainees set to travel abroad to study as Automotive Collision Repair Technicians.
The Minister formally presented each of the trainees with their travel package to Boston to attend the New England Institute of Technology [NEIT] to study for the accredited programme.
Minister Fahy said, “We recognise that as the economy grows we need to ensure that Bermudians are well prepared and positioned to take on the new jobs, and training Bermudians is a key focus and priority for this Ministry.
“You will have heard announced on several occasions these past few weeks our intent to provide training opportunities for Bermudians by sending them overseas for accredited programmes in the fields of automotive technicians and butchers.
“Today, I’m pleased to introduce our first group of trainees who will be flying out tomorrow to the New England Institute of Technology (NEIT) to become Automotive Collision professionals.”
The individuals are Jabari Hollis, Tyree Armstrong, Tyrone Oswald, Stefan Lambert, Davin Clarke-Riley and Summer McGlynn. The Minister noted that this particular area of automotive training is not currently available in Bermuda.
Minister Fahy said, “The proposed training will assist with promoting a sustainable workforce and ensuring future job opportunities for these six individuals in this profession.
“As part of the programme and on completion of their course work, these students will be assessed and tested to prove their proficiency and competence prior to returning to Bermuda. They are expected to obtain an internationally recognised certification that will allow them to compete for opportunities on a level playing field.”
Minister Fahy noted that although there has not been a significant change in the number of work permit issuances for professional Automotive Collision Repair journeypersons, “it is clear that requests for renewals are consistent”.
He also pointed out that the industry is concerned that the Bermudians currently working in this field are nearing retirement and succession planning either does not exist or there are very limited numbers to fill the eventual void.
“Therefore, our main objective with this training initiative is to minimise the requests for the issuance of work permits and to realise sustainability with well trained Bermudian professionals,” the Minister said.
Minister Fahy concluded, “I want to make this quite clear – this Government remains steadfast and committed to ensuring social and economic equity for everyone. And today’s announcement is a demonstration of our commitment.
“To Jabari, Tyree, Tyrone, Stefan, Davin and Summer – we say congratulations to you all for taking this major step in your professional careers. You should all feel very proud of yourselves. Certainly, the Ministry of Home Affairs is very pleased to be able to support your goals,” concluded Minister Fahy.
Great stuff! Congratulations to our young people. I am confident that you will do well. Best wishes!
Good programme and good luck to the participants. But, please tell us Minister, what’s the difference between this and the drywall programme? Besides the fact that its the OBA sending them of course.
And as for this: “I want to make this quite clear – this Government remains steadfast and committed to ensuring social and economic equity for everyone. And today’s announcement is a demonstration of our commitment.” – show me the jobs for these guys when they’re done, then we’ll believe you. What’s your answer to the companies that won’t hire them either because they don’t have the experience or because they’re attached to their favourite work permit holder who knows their business, and all the customers love him and blah blah blah…..
show us the work permit policy works then we’ll believe the “social and economic” equity bit.
@ Hmmmmm
You started out by saying “Good programme and good luck to the participants”, but then you went completely negative and completely went against your opening statement. What’s up with that?
If you don’t know the differenca between Drywallers and Automotive Collision Repair Technicians then you obviously shouldn’t be commenting on it should you? There are few construction jobs out there for drywallers, but the way locals drive we’ll always have work for Automotive Collision Repair Technicians and have you ever had to take your vehicle for repairs? Many (not all) of these positions are held by expats. Duuuuuh!!!
Resonding to Hmmmmmmm…..The problems most people had with the drywallers program was:
a) There were no large commercial projects needing dry wall installers on the horizon and we use concrete in residential homes. With construction at its slowest point in decades, many people in construction – it just didn’t make sense!
b) There was no cry for drywall techs because of a shortage!
c) There were way to may sent overseas – I believe 20+ with no forecasted work to go to once completed!
d)If there TRULY was a demand for this type of work and we needed to get sooooo many guys trained, it would have made much more sense to import 1 DRYWALL CERTIFIED TEACHER – AT THE COLLEGE for a few months at far less expense to train dozens of out of work construction workers than to pay for flights, tuition, room , board etc…for 20+ guys.
This program has 6 kids in it, and like someone else mentioned, at the rate we wreck cars on this island. Lots of potential employment opportunities.
However, let me say this. I am all for assisting our youth by giving them a HAND UP, but I do not agree with giving anyone a HAND OUT. I hope there is something in place to ensure that the monies paid out will be paid back over time so that others that need help can benefit.
In addition to the above comments, another difference is in the Labour Market Index and Labour Force reports that are put out by the Statistics Department. The Automotive Collision Repair JOURNEY level is an industry that has a high percentage of work permit holders. Once these Bermudians get the their qualification and experience they will be able to secure jobs because at present many nonBermudians fill those posts.
what is missing from this piece of news is that ALL of these apprentices currently work and will continue to work while completing their education, with a local automotive shop. These students were assessed and SELECTED from a pool of candidates to take the next step. What is sad is that the Bermuda College had a program that was not supported by industry and eventually was mostly dismantled – as with plumbing and a few other trades. We dont NEED to send these students overseas. There are ways to apprentice and achieve credentials without having to reside overseas, but we are not promoting them. We have the facilities at Bermuda College for nearly every trade where there is a dificiency of Bermudian talent, yet we do not recruit or train the way they do in the UK, US or Canada. People WAKE UP! We are wasting local resources (and money) where there is a LOCAL option available.
Congratulations to the trainees and it is always good to see positive news.
Please have them tie their shoelaces before going to Boston so they dont trip up in the snow
Go Barrrrrrrrrrrrrrr! So proud of you (and a bit shocked lol)!
Well, I see Mr. Wilfred Parker, of Parker’s Auto, in this picture and I am pretty sure that at least one of these young people has been apprenticed at his shop. I am betting that’s at least one job that will be secured on that individual’s return. As long as residents have cars, there will always be a demand for the skills these young ones will be trained in.
..next set of training should be in appliance repair..not many guys out there now-a-days.
I agree, but sadly we have become a throw away society.
Automotive repair? No shortage of work in Bermuda for that category.
I do wish these students the best in their endeavours however, parents, when sending your kids out to receive awards from govt/Ministers, have them dress appropriately. Not necessarily a shirt and tie but at least a shirt with a collar and dress pants/skirt.
Dress is appropriate for the industry. How many auto repair professionals do you see in dress pants/skirt.
You just made yourself sound stupid. If these student go for an interview at one of the local garages do you want them to show up in dirty overalls with grease on their hands? Or to the bank for a loan to start their garage carrying a toolbox and a spare tire?
Congrats to all of these young people! No room for negativity here.
+2 to all work hard and ull succeed = )
stay focused, don’t get caught up in negativity, you all should be ok. I just wonder how these kids where picked?
I too feel is would be far less expensive, yes much cheaper to bring into the Island a professional to teach x amount of (in this case) these
“automotive collision repair journeyperson” Aside from this there would
/can be more fellows and women partaking in these types of program if the Govtn. were to invite people here as oppose to flying out x amount along with house etc. overseas…
Actually the equipment, housing of various instructors and time requirement alone will make that cost prohibitive.
Typo: I also feel it would be…
Glad to see the OBA followed through on this PLP initiative… these young people where waiting patiently….
I’m almost happy it came under an OBA govt… less negativity surrounding it…. while it did not come when you wanted it…it is here now make the best of it….
did the government DRUG TEST these people
A great opportunity for these young people . Show support rather than give negative commentary.