Minister Highlights Job & Training Initiatives
[Updated with video] Government is “in the process of drafting a policy to ensure that certain job categories with high work permits must take trainees with qualifications,” Minister of Home Affairs Michael Fahy said today [May 8].
Speaking at a press briefing to highlight the efforts being undertaken by the Department of Workforce Development to assist those in the job market, the Minister said that as of April 30, 2014, the numbers of unemployed and underemployed totaled just over 1,800, a number which he said fluctuates.
“As it relates to our current efforts of training and developing Bermudians, this past year, there were close to 400 Bermudians involved in various programmes from construction to accounting,” said the Minister.
Minister Fahy also spoke about the various programmes offered through the Department of Workforce Development such as the National Technical and Vocational Training Award, Sponsored Trainee Award, New England Institute of Technology Auto Collision Programme, Meat Ipswich Butcher Programme, Cleaning Management Institute Custodial Technician Certificate Programme, Power Engineering, Customer Service Training National Certification the cruise ship jobs initiative and more.
Minister Fahy pictured with from L to R: Andrew Albright, Jordan Zancanelle, Jennita DeShields, Taijaun Talbot and Waleed Lightbourne, who are considered some of the success stories of the Department of Workforce Development. They are in the fields of accountancy, nursing, custodial and hospitality, programmes Government has supported.
The Minister added, “If there is one thing I wish to highlight for those young people looking to study abroad I strongly encourage them to consider entering those areas of study where we have overwhelmingly high numbers of guest workers in those fields, such as accounting, nursing and other areas in the IB industry. We are a global marketplace – and we need qualified Bermudians to step into these roles.
“Additionally, we recognise that some individuals may not take advantage of such opportunities because employers are looking for experience.
“In that regard, I can confirm that we are in the process of drafting a policy to ensure that certain job categories with high work permits must take trainees with qualifications, but Bermuda, you must do your part and get qualified.”
The Minister’s full statement follows below:
Good afternoon and thank you for joining me.
Today I want to discuss what I think we all recognise is a topic of national importance – jobs and employment.
There has been significant commentary from advocacy groups and other entities within our community which would seem to suggest that this Government is doing absolutely nothing to address the employment concerns in our community.
While we acknowledge that we would love to see our economic recovery moving at a brisker pace, the fact remains that there are market factors beyond our control that dictate the speed of our recovery.
However what is within our control are our efforts to implement short and long term solutions aimed at helping Bermudians navigate through this job market. So, today, in an effort to update the public, I am taking this opportunity to comprehensively highlight the many initiatives that the Ministry of Home Affairs has undertaken to train and prepare Bermudians for this changing workforce.
Before I start however I want to stress this important point – there are opportunities available – they just need to be taken advantage of.
And while we can create an environment for these opportunities, we are not getting the high volume of enrolment in these training programmes that we would hope from those who are looking to get back to work.
I think it prudent at this stage to highlight the figures that we have on our data base at the Department of Workforce Development of those who are under/unemployed.
I can report that as of April 30, 2014, the numbers of unemployed and underemployed totaled just over 1,800. I must stress that this number fluctuates.
As individuals find full time employment they come off our data base. And as some become unemployed they join our data base. These numbers represent qualified and underqualified individuals. The majority of unemployed/underemployed are in the service industry – such as general administration, personnel and hospitality.
We also have many from the construction industry, such as masons and labourers. This is an indication to me that now more than ever, we need to grow our economy and attract more people to the Island so that we can expand our business in order to create jobs.
Simply put – more people in Bermuda means more jobs.
As it relates to our current efforts of training and developing Bermudians, this past year, there were close to 400 Bermudians involved in various programmes from construction to accounting. And the following illustrates the efforts being dedicated both educationally and financially to help Bermudians regain their footing in the workforce.
Scholarship Award Programmes
As it relates to our award programmes, for the 2013/2014 fiscal period, the Department of Workforce Development provided funding for a total of 116 students to attend various colleges and universities overseas – the cost of such was approximately $600,000. There are several types of scholarships available through the National Training Section of the Department of Workforce Development.
They include:
The National Technical and Vocational Training Award (NTVT)
- The National Training Board provides $5,000 annually for persons who have successfully been accepted into further education programmes in accredited colleges and universities.
The Technical Vocational and Educational Training Award (TVET)
- This award was designed to assist those already employed who require additional training to enhance their skills to allow for career advancement. This award is up to $5,000.
Sponsored Trainee Award
- This award is generally used for those who have registered in a formal apprenticeship programme. The Department provides funding of up to $18,000 for tuition towards a degree programme for the first two years of training at an accredited institution.
Partnerships with industry stakeholders
The Construction Association of Bermuda
The Department of Workforce Development in partnership with the Construction Association, ensures that the National Construction Centre of Education and Research program (NCCER) continues to be available in our senior schools and at the Bermuda College.The Department provides an annual grant of $80,000 to the Construction Association who is the license holder for the NCCER programme. Last year – 41 Bermuda College students participated in this programme along with 8 Cedarbridge Academy students.
The Bermuda College
The previous Government established an MOU with the Bermuda College to offer a Retraining Scholarships Fund in an effort to provide training opportunities for Bermudians in areas traditionally filled by significant numbers of non-Bermudians. For example, accounting, nursing and teaching. An estimated $700,000 has been provided to support these further educational opportunities for Bermudians.Accounting:
Work permit data indicates that there are in excess of 400 active work permits for professionally qualified Accountants in Bermuda. Three certification programmes in accounting were made available with the aim of increasing the number of qualified Bermudians so that they can assume these roles in the local market.Nursing:
It is a known fact that there is a global shortage of nurses. And there has been a documented need for Bermudians to enter into this profession. Currently we have 370 work permits for registered nurses.To that end, a two year Associate of Science in Nursing Degree (ADN) designed in partnership with the Department of Workforce Development, the Bermuda College, and the Bermuda Hospital’s Board was implemented. There are currently four (4) individuals enrolled at the Bermuda College with a projected matriculation date of December 2014.
Teacher Certification:
The Post-Degree Teacher Certification program offered by Mount Saint Vincent University in association with Bermuda College is designed for individuals who hold an undergraduate degree and are seeking to meet certification requirements for pre-school, elementary and middle school teachers in Bermuda.To supplement all of these training and educational programmes we have undertaken to introduce a number of specialized programmes. Here are a few:
New England Institute of Technology Auto Collision Programme
- Four (4) individuals successfully completed this programme. The training costs were $201,190
Meat Ipswich Butcher Programme
- Four (4) individuals successfully completed this programme. The training costs were $84,800
Cleaning Management Institute Custodial Technician Certificate Programme
- 32 individuals were involved in this programme. The training costs were $84,800
Power Engineering
- Six (6) individuals were involved in this programme. The training costs were $20,100
Customer Service Training National Certification
- 16 individuals were involved in this programme. The training costs were $4,000
We also provide a soft skills training course associated with all our training programmes to ensure that people are properly equipped with the appropriate customer service techniques.
I must also mention our cruise ship jobs initiative. To date we have hosted two orientation seminars for this initiative. And while we deem this to be a very innovative job creation programme, we just haven’t had the significant uptake of participants that we would have hoped.
Other avenues that we have taken to ensure that we are reaching Bermudians include the creation of the Bermuda Job Board. This online tool allows people from the comfort of their laptop or tablet to sign up on the job board and search for available jobs.
To date, we have 1,300 candidates and 314 employers signed up on the Bermuda Job Board. There is still an opportunity to reach more individuals, and we encourage those who may not have access to a computer to visit the Department of Workforce Development so that we can lend our assistance in getting you signed up and back to work.
So ladies and gentlemen, what I have outlined demonstrates that to date this Government has invested hundreds of thousands of dollars in the training, education and preparation of Bermudians to ensure that they are ready for this current job market.
And if there is one thing I wish to highlight for those young people looking to study abroad I strongly encourage them to consider entering those areas of study where we have overwhelmingly high numbers of guest workers in those fields, such as accounting, nursing and other areas in the IB industry. We are a global marketplace – and we need qualified Bermudians to step into these roles.
Additionally, we recognise that some individuals may not take advantage of such opportunities because employers are looking for experience. In that regard, I can confirm that we are in the process of drafting a policy to ensure that certain job categories with high work permits must take trainees with qualifications, but Bermuda, you must do your part and get qualified.
We also acknowledge the hard work and dedication of those currently in the workforce. And we also recognise that there continues to be unscrupulous practices by some rogue employers. To that end, we are continuing to actively investigate a number of areas where employers are taking advantage of staff, especially in the cosmetology or beauty salon industry.
So we are still committed to upholding and protecting the rights of those currently in our workforce.
Finally, today I am joined by Mr. Waleed Lightbourne, Jennita DeShields, Andrew Albright and Jordan Zancanelle and Taijaun Talbot.
These individuals are the success stories of the Department of Workforce Development. They are in the fields of accountancy, nursing, custodial and hospitality – all programmes we have supported.
I want to publicly commend their determination, their courage and their perseverance in recognizing that it was ok to seek help and assistance.
The end results are Bermudians who have made the transition in tailoring their education and qualifications to not only adjust to the changing job market, but to find employment success in it.
I think in closing it’s important to note that the issues that we face did not happen overnight and they cannot be solved overnight. Of equal note, and as I have stated previously, solving our workforce challenges is not something that can be solely done by the Government.
It will take the collaboration and partnership of the private sector, the unions and most of all the Bermudians who we all serve. I cannot emphasize enough that in order for us to assist, you must not only make yourselves known to us, but you must do your part in taking advantage of the training opportunities available.
It makes no sense for us to enact these programmes if we are not going to get full participation, so your cooperation is key. And registering with the Department of Workforce Development is a first step.
Thank you.
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Experience is a must as well. Bermudians should consider getting entry-level jobs elsewhere to gain experience. It doesn’t make sense for a global company to have entry-level positions in their Bermuda office when they can pay much less for the same position in North America or the UK.
Where can I go to get a certificate and training… in pot washing…and soft skills…oh yes the Bermuda govt offers said programs…
If you know someone from Manila give them some money & ask them to get one from Recto Avenue for you next time they’re home.
as long as the govt continues to believe and put forward solutions, to counteract to the lazy, uneducated Bermudian… instead of addressing the number one grass root issue of a livable wages… we will be doing the same thing, another 100 years from now… my Mom says in her day 60+ years ago, the same things where being said then,a little more racially overtly..but let’s be honest the vast majority of persons in the unemployment line at the low end, are several generational of Black Bermudians……when I read the Pitt and Wooding’s Report the same recommendation are in there… but what does the Bermuda govt do….the same old same old, hoping for a different result…
Yah calling us uneducated and lazy Rhonda?You can’t obtain or maintain a livable wage if you don’t have an education.
Sure we can all be pot washers and porters and maids.
Too whom.
How much they pay you Rhonda.
Rhonda,
I remember clearly last year some time when the Government did a similar press conference on one of these job initiatives. Your response was that the scheme was set up by the PLP initially and the OBA are trying to get credit or it.
So about 6 months later now you believe that these are terrible programs, a waste of time and somehow a denigration of Bermudians in general.
What has changed since then? Do you believe that the PLP initiated job schemes were essentially a waste constructed by an out of touch Government? Or has your mind been swayed because you see Fahy now standing up there with graduates of these programs?
Why don’t you tell the 400 or so Bermudians who have taken advantage of these opportunities that they are essentially stupid for trying to improve or expand their skills.
I know you hate the OBA and want no credit to be given to them in any shape or form, but be at least a little bit rational in your hatred. But please answer a simple question: why were you full of praise for the PLP when they stood in front of the cameras and touted very similar if not the same programs, but now you call these a waste and denigrate them?
PS: In order for one to have a livable wage one must first have a job. So what is your beef with people enhancing their skill sets?
Jennita DeShields C.P.A, we are so proud of you and can’t wait to see the great things you will accomplish in the future. Continue to maintain determined and persevered to get what you want out of life.
How much progress have we made…
Pitt Report Riots of 1977
4.15. The contributory causes, in
our view, are all tangled together and
derive much of their influence from the
way they interact. To try to separate
them, and to compile a list, can therefore
be misleading. At best those factors
which, through weight of evidence are
perceived to be the most important of
the contributory causes, can be grouped
under headings. These groupings include
the economic structure of Bermuda
and the strong belief that there is
inequality of economic opportunity.
Concentration of economic power in
“Front Street” and the banks, lack of support
for small businesses, especially if
they are black, lack of job opportunities,
training and Bermudianisation, all (of
which) are intricately intertwined.
Really Rhonda, you had to go all the way back to 1977?!
Please regal us as to how much of the Pitt report was made into law and enacted under the fourteen years of a BLACK LABOR PARTY government.
READY……
“We followed that (the Pitt Report) up by having a constitutional conference with a body from the Foreign Office and ourselves, and both parties were there, and we changed … what had been the vexatious point, constitutionally, which was called the Commonwealth vote,” said Sir Peter in a 2001 interview. “Young white people, who’d been in Bermuda for more than three years, had the vote at the elections just because they were Commonwealth and white. This had virtually deprived the black Opposition party of ever really getting enough votes to get power.
Rhonda, dear, that Opposition party you are referencing here, had the power and it messed up. hence why it lost the power.
Why don’t you criticise your party? You can’t and you won’t do it cuz you are told to step into line and don’t look weak in front of others. Meanwhile, the PLP had themselves a good old time and spent money like it was a running faucet.
Yet, you seem to be ok with that.
He always looks uncomfortable in these pictures.
You mean the one where he’s smiling wide with his shoulders back in a relaxed posture? That one?
You can’t just make stuff up and pretend it’s true, “Robert”. Come on.
No he does look pretty stiff to me and that smile is a little too large to be comfortable
MINISTER FAHY IS NOT TRYING TO HIRE BERMUDIANS, JUST ENSURING THAT WE ARE BEING FIRED…….
Now that the LIES are past us, is the ELECTED Government moving to address the situation, because we all are aware of the lack of effort from the previous admin to even ADDRESS the issue, much less take a stand on all the IMPORTED labor…. wait, they apparently have now taken a stand, now that they won’t be responsible for implementing it.