Video: Department Of Workforce Development

May 2, 2013

Effective tomorrow [May 3] the name of the Department of Labour & Training will officially change to the Department of Workforce Development.

George Outerbridge will assume the post of Director of this Department, the new Chairman of the National Training Board will be Jeff Sousa, while Vince Ingham will serve as Deputy Chairman.

The former National Training Board section and the Department of Labour and Training are now combined to establish the Department of Workforce Development.

George Outerbridge, Minister Michael Fahy and Jeff Sousa:

Minister, Chair, Director

“The name change signals the commencement of the transition of the Department and its mission to ensure the delivery of qualified human resources to support Bermuda’s economy,” said Home Affairs Minister Michael Fahy.

“Historically, workforce planning in Bermuda has been hampered by the lack of a single comprehensive body to coordinate data with respect to the numbers and types of professions and the training required to support the economy.

Minister Fahy continued, “The development of the National Training Plan is a significant first step towards the continual improvement of workforce planning in Bermuda and the establishment of a common framework for discussions on future workforce numbers supported by programmes and the alignment of scholarships, training funds and training opportunities to achieve this.”

Minister Michael Fahy’s full statement follows below:

Good afternoon and thank you for joining me.

We’ve had a very busy few weeks since the end of our Budget Debate and as a result, I thought it timely to provide the public with a progress report on the Ministry of Home Affairs progress – particularly as it relates to the evolution of our workforce development initiatives.

As you’ve heard me say previously, this Government is concentrating much of its energy and efforts towards growing our economy so that there is opportunity for all.

You will be aware that as of April 1st, our Work Permit Policy reforms came into effect. The modernising of our work permit policy is aimed at preserving Bermudian jobs.

Coupled with modernising the work permit policy, we have also made it our priority to redouble our efforts towards ensuring that our unemployed and underemployed Bermudians are provided with the right avenues and tools for training.

Effective tomorrow, 3rd May, 2013, subject to the Gazetting of the required legal instrument, the name of the Department of Labour and Training will officially change to the Department of Workforce Development and Mr. George Outerbridge will assume the substantive post of Director of this Department.

I should note here that the former National Training Board section and the Department of Labour and Training are now combined to establish the Department of Workforce Development.

Essentially, the former department of NTB will now be the training unit within the department of workforce development.

The name change signals the commencement of the transition of the Department and its mission to ensure the delivery of qualified human resources to support Bermuda’s economy. It is well known that workforce development by its very nature is intended to discern and address the deficiencies amongst those desiring employment. Understanding these deficiencies and putting in place an effective plan to close the gaps is an imperative for Bermuda, now and in the future.

For this reason I am particularly pleased to be joined by the new Chairman of the National Training Board – Mr. Jeff Sousa – as the National Training Board, officially constituted early this week, has been charged with the development of a National Training Plan for Bermuda. I should note, Mr. Vince Ingham, unable to join us today will serve as Deputy Chairman.

The importance of undertaking national planning for a sustainable workforce in Bermuda is an urgent priority for the Government, as based on the unemployment data, we must work to “up-skill” the people of Bermuda in an effort to improve Bermuda’s competitive position in the delivery of products and services to both local and global markets.

Historically, workforce planning in Bermuda has been hampered by the lack of a single comprehensive body to coordinate data with respect to the numbers and types of professions and the training required to support the economy.

Therefore, the development of the National Training Plan is a significant first step towards the continual improvement of workforce planning in Bermuda and the establishment of a common framework for discussions on future workforce numbers supported by programmes and the alignment of scholarships, training funds and training opportunities to achieve this.

The Plan will enable Bermuda to move from its largely uncoordinated workforce training regime to the adoption of a long-term view, enabling Bermuda to become more self-sufficient in the supply of human resources to support and sustain the economy.

The National Training Plan is intended to represent an integrated Government and private sector organisational framework enabling effective response to the needs of our economy for now and in the future. We will be forward planning to meet the needs of the economy looking ahead for at least the next ten years.

The National Training Board will develop and manage the implementation of the National Training Plan working with the relevant government agencies and private sector stakeholders to leverage the planning capabilities within industry.
It is envisaged that the Board will serve as the overseeing training organization in Bermuda bringing together representatives from existing groups and associations under one umbrella.

The industry representatives now serving on the National Training Board have been nominated by and represent specific industry groups and these industry groups will fulfil the role of Occupational Advisory Committees.

The Board will engage the Occupational Advisory Committees as well as the wider community in the development of the National Training Plan.

Ultimately, the community can expect a Plan that provides a strategic road map for the delivery of qualified Bermudian human capital across all segments of industry in the short and long-term.

The Plan will fulfil our goals of ensuring that Bermuda ultimately reduces our reliance on overseas labour because we have carefully considered the future needs of the economy and developed our people accordingly.

A delivery date for the Plan will be determined once the Board has had the opportunity to consider the requirements and determine a way forward; and we hope to share a projected delivery date with the public in the coming weeks.

Finally, I am of the view that we all have a stake in strengthening our current economy and workforce. Government will need the cooperation of all in our community to address the challenges that we are facing. And in that regard, I very much look forward to working with the National Training Board and by extension the Occupational Advisory Committees representing a wide cross section of industry, on the development and implementation of the National Training Plan.

Thank you.

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Comments (14)

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  1. Nuffin but da Truth says:

    STUPID Name for a Gov dept.

  2. Perplexed says:

    You’ve got to be kidding me having Vince Ingham as Deputy Chairman?? Aside from the fact he left BELCO in ‘unusual’ circumstances, this man had no vision, ideas, or any common sense as to what Bermuda needed when he came knocking on my door canvassing 6 months ago. I support the OBA but this is a step backwards.

    • Looking ahead says:

      Sorry to say but I disagree with “Perplexed”. Maybe the candidate did not impress you when he was
      canvassing but Vince Ingham is one Bermudian who certainly does have vision, ideas and articulation.
      He was outstanding on the Tourism Board and it was, in part, thanks to him that the National Tourism Plan came into being. His knowledge of the tourism product and ability to work well with others could have made him a fine Minister of Tourism.
      It is certainly not a step backwards for the OBA but an enlightened step forwards to recognize that
      he can, and will, contribute much to the success in moving Bermuda forward in the right direction.

  3. Nuffin but da Truth says:

    could have at least worn a suit that matched..(and fitted!).

  4. smh says:

    Now the question is are they going to get RID of or evaluate the employment/training officers which are employed that treat the unemployed with no respect?

  5. Steve says:

    WTF OBA!!! More of the same old same old.

    • smokey says:

      bermuda a joke. employers pocketing health insurance, pensions. pension commition a joke. I put in a complaint about 1 year ago. No reply till i investigated because boss still commiting crimes against workers.Fraud is fraud. what i find astunishing is that social insurance a government enity is ading and abbiding in this crime.ANY employee should their pension and health insurance garnished from their pay. What is happening is that some employers are pocketing that money for personel gain. WHAT EVER HAPPENED TO THE LIST OF COMPANIES THAT WHERE IN THE PAPERS FOR NOT PUTTING IN TO PENSIONS AND HEALTH INSURANCE AFTER TAKING THE MONEY FROM WEEKLY WAGES.

    • collins says:

      Steve,I agree with you more of the same old !!!!!!! who made this terrible decision to make Vince Ingham as the deputy chairmam in this newly named post ? I wonder if Jeff Sousa is happy with his deputy !!!!!!!

  6. Watching says:

    Can someone confirm that Govt is allocating 4m towards consultants?

  7. Cleancut says:

    Now i hope everyone is clear as to why Mr. Ingham resigned from the PLP.

  8. LOL(original TM*) says:

    WELL DONE!

  9. Rhonda Neil says:

    New a PLP concept..

    Amendments to create a one-stop career centre were approved unanimously in the Senate yesterday.
    The National Training Board Amendment Act 2011 brings together the National Training Board and the career development and labour relations sections of the Department of Labour and Training to create a single unit under a single board.
    The career centre will offer numerous services to employers and those seeking work. It will provide career counselling, a job-listing database, job referrals and trade certification.
    Government Senate leader Kim Wilson said that bringing the sections together with the NTB would eliminate redundancies, while the creation of a larger board would allow a wider range of matters to be covered.