Ministry: Lower Unemployment Figures In Trades
During yesterday’s [May 20] Senate proceedings the Minister of Home Affairs Michael Fahy responded to a number of questions posed by Opposition Senator Diallo Rabain relating to work permits, unemployment and certification of tradesmen in Bermuda.
In a statement today, the Government said, “One of the questions asked by Sen. Rabain was regarding the numbers of Masons, Plumbers, Electricians, Carpenters, Tilers, Waiters and Chefs de Rang who were registered as unemployed by the Department of Workforce Development as of 1st January 2013, 1st January 2014 and 1st January 2015.
“Minister Fahy responded that the unemployment numbers for all job categories, with the exception of Chefs de Rang, appear to have dropped significantly. For example, the number of Masons who had registered as unemployed went from 28 [2013], to 26 [2014] to 12 [2015].
“Likewise, the number of Carpenters who registered as unemployed with the Department of Workforce Development went from 16 [2013] to 10 [2014] to nine [2015]. The only exception to the trend was for the number of Chefs de Rang who registered as unemployed; this went from zero [2013] to one [2015]. All figures are below.”
Chart #1 provided by the Ministry:
Sen. Rabain also asked about the numbers of Masons, Plumbers, Electricians, Carpenters, Tilers, Waiters and Chefs de Rang who were on work permits in Bermuda as of 1st January 2013, 1st January 2014 and 1st January 2015.
Minister Fahy responded yesterday that the number of work permits issued for these jobs varied – with some increasing from 2013 to 2015 and some decreasing. The number of work permits issued for Masons, Electricians, Tilers and Chefs de Rang all dropped from 2013 to 2015 while the number of work permits issued for Plumbers, Carpenters and Waiters increased from 2013 to 2015.
“Increasing the number of work permits issued in certain categories demonstrates an increase in economic activity,” explained Minister Fahy. “We should never undervalue the importance of having an increasing number of people on the island. More people equates to more money circulating on the island with more use of services which, in turn, equates to a boost on our economy.”
Chart #2 provided by the Ministry:
Sen. Rabain also enquired as to the number of training programmes which are in place to address the work of Masons, Plumbers, Electricians, Carpenters, Tilers, Waiters and Chefs de Rang.
Minister Fahy said in response to this question: “The Department of Workforce Development [DWD] works closely with the Bermuda College to assist with the facilitation of training programmes.
“The Training Section’s role with DWD is generally to coordinate educational opportunities that align with the needs of the labour marketplace. Programmes requiring accelerated curriculum [like the drywall certification programme in Atlanta in 2012] are primarily driven by industry to assist with an immediate need.
“Additionally, the Department has found success in studying the Labour Survey that is distributed by the Department of Statistics to identify where there are possible opportunities as a result of work permit issuances. An example of this is the Butcher Programme in the UK in 2013.”
“The programmes highlighted below are only some of the initiatives that are supported by the Ministry of Home Affairs and show the number of graduates per annum for each. The overall number of trade graduates has increased between 2013 and 2015 as has the over number of hospitality graduates,” the Ministry said.
Chart #3 provided by the Ministry:
“With the National Training Plan Part 2 coming soon, DWD anticipates offering more programmes in collaboration with the Bermuda College and industry stakeholders,” explained the Minister.
“Again, where an immediate need arises for resources, DWD will research training programs that offer accelerated certification curriculum. This enables serious and committed Bermudians the opportunity to gain skills and knowledge and obtain an internationally recognized certification from accredited institutions.”
The Ministry added that a “number of certifications were awarded this past year which were funded by the Department of Workforce Development and include the following:
- 2 Appliance Technicians
- 3 Maritime Cadets with Officer of the Watch Certifications [Warsach, UK]
- 8 Power Engineers [4th Class]
- 9 Private Investigators
- 17 National Fire Prevention Association [NFPA]“
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Bravo OBA. Well done Minister Fahy and Department of Workforce Development. Earlier this week I was talking with a carpenter friend who is flat out getting apartments ready for all the new America’s Cup tenants. Keep us moving in the right direction and don’t get distracted by drivel coming out of Bean and Burt’s mouth’s every week.
And Rabain, Brown, Commissiong, Weekes, Furbert, Hayward, and Tweed!
Thanks to the PLP for the establishment of the National Training Board Program & The Department of Work Force Development. In addition I do not think Fahy results reflect Significant drop in the various categories that is really mis-leading reporting. What about unreporting of data?
Not the numbers ypu lot really wanted, are they Betty.
Can’t whip up hate quite as easily, when it turns out the government is getting Bermudians back to work.
If you understand how to interpret data, you would understand the point I am making, rather than stand by your political wings only. He is over stating the data in terms of suggesting it is Significant. Was a Significant Differences found in the results?
I just doubt that Betty has any background with statistics based on her occupation (PLP Troll from what appears online) and the content of the comments put forward.
Oh dear, that is not the sort bad news, for them, that the PLP wants to hear.
@triangle, tree frogs and crickets are all we will hear from the plp camp on this one!!!!
Take a look at the overall unemployment rates? I think when the more recent data is revealed a true picture will be revealed.
Hundreds more have left Bermuda under the UBP/OBA for lack of work .
Unemployment is reducing, Bermudians are getting jobs, and you lot absolutely hate it.
Bet Rabain regrets asking that question.
These numbers are far from the reality of unemployment in BDA. Myself and a few of my electrician buddies are unemployed. Plus other electricians that I don’t even know are constantly calling me asking if I need a hand because they’re out of work. So don’t get excited over this. I surely wont
Billy boy aka Alaska hall, you obviously are not part of the “go getter ” crowd are you??? I have seen a major uptick in the last 3 months and have actually hired another person!!! Oh wait?? I am talking to one of the 3 following persons??
Person one, who makes things happen!!!
Person two, who watches things happen!!!
Person three, who says, what the f..k happened???
My money is on you being, person number 3.
Eat you heart out Alaska hall!!!!!
1980 more jobs to go .
I have or will complete my first over 50 hr week since I left the hospital last September. … I have taken a job with a local GC at a much, much lower wage… but I have a lot of room to grow in the company. ..and with the skill sets I bring …he NOW HAS a lot of work..not sure why…yawn….thank my lucky stars is all I can say…
And yes I know why…folks are more optermistic. …
I’d like to know why do we still have work permits for electricians when we still have unemployed Bermudian electricians that out number the number of permits?
Another reason I don’t believe things age looking up is because there still isn’t much building nor renovations going on to feed the unemployment in construction.
If there be anyone, (who has proof) that they’ve been overlooked or sees a foreigner holding down the job that they’d applied for then now would be a good time to take their grievances to the Immigration / Government Employment Offices so that it can be rectified A.S.A.P And please, stop complaining on the blogs! Being a part of the solution/s isn’t always complaining on the “blogs”
they must have missed counting/including the homeless and people in the ‘ghetto’. not everyone has been questioned about this. this is even new to me and I’m sure the ones who don’t have a home, or internet; phone; or a radio do not know of this either. Hope the statistics shown on your records is not your way of saying the island as a whole has improved. you are missing out on others.
I am still unemployed after “pounding the pavement” for the last 9 months – and I see “everyone else from all over the world” with employment in Bermuda.
What are your skills? What type of work are you looking for?
I wish someone would post a list of the types of jobs the unemployed are looking for? I know lots of people who have been trying to hire for empty positions and Bermudians just aren’t applying.
Im fresh to the employment market after studying for 6 years and it seems to me the hunt for work is hopeless. I have the degree and college diploma yet I lack the experience. How will I get the experience? Its really sad.
i see, the plp like the recent poll results (inexact science, but okay)but have an issue believing the facts on declining unemployment figures as presented…funny.
People see what they want to see in the numbers and what is not clear is if the decrease has anything to do with people becomeing frustrated and then dont bother to keep fileing. Also from 2014 to 2015 there is a decrease of one waiter meaning we still have 20+ unemployed waiters but we still had an increase in permits issued? Seems to be that number should be 0 before any permits are issued!