Premier: Public Service Bursary Award Scheme

Mr. Speaker,

The Bermuda Government is a very unique employer offering career opportunities in a vast array of professions.

Mr. Speaker,

As a result of its diversity there are several hard- to-fill posts. A post is generally classified as “hard-to-fill” where there is a lack of available qualified Bermudians and in some cases this is compounded by a worldwide shortage of qualified resources. The Government has long addressed this challenge by allocating funding for the express purpose of developing Bermudians to fill specialist roles.

Mr. Speaker,

The Government is therefore committed to continue the Public Service Bursary Award Scheme in the 2015/16 fiscal year. The Scheme awards up to 15 scholarships annually to Bermudians pursuing post-secondary academic qualifications in a discipline, which has been identified by Government Departments, that meets the Department’s future needs.

This ensures that well trained cadres of people are available to fill positions within the Public Service. The bursaries are valued at $10,000 per year.

Mr. Speaker,

There are four bursary application opportunities in 2015:

• Research Officer, Ministry of National Security, within the Department of National Drug Control;
• Estate Surveyor, Ministry of Public Works, within the Department of Public Lands and Buildings;
• Valuer, Ministry of Public Works, within the Department of Land Valuation; and
• Coordinator/Psychologist, Ministry of Legal Affairs, within the Department of Court Services.

The Bursary Awards are available to students who are studying: Building Surveying, Epidemiology, Estate Surveying, Facilities Management, Forensic Psychology, Health, Nursing, Property Valuations and Appraisals, Psychology with an emphasis on Research, Real Estate Management/Valuation, Social Work and Statistics.

Mr. Speaker,

To be considered for a Bursary Award, applicants must:

• Be Bermudian;
• Have completed no less than 5 years of schooling in Bermuda;
• Be 40 years or under at date of application;
• Have been accepted into an institution of higher learning or currently undertaking courses leading to a professional, specialist or technical qualification required within the Public Service; and/or
• Be in an Undergraduate or Masters Degree Programme; and
• Be planning a career in the Public Service upon completion of their education.

Mr. Speaker,

It is the Public Service’s ongoing intent to have qualified Bermudians trained for appointment to hard-to-fill positions within the Service.

All of the positions mentioned for available bursaries are currently held by qualified non-Bermudians on contract and whilst their service is appreciated, this Government remains committed to the education and training of Bermudians.

Mr. Speaker,

Individuals interested in applying for the 2015 Public Service Bursary Award Scheme should submit applications no later than Friday, April 24th, 2015. Applications can be collected and returned to the attention of the Bursary Coordinator, Department of Human Resources, 3rd Floor Ingham and Wilkinson Building, 129 Front Street, Hamilton or they can obtain an application online at www.gov.bm.

Thank you Mr. Speaker.

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