CEDP Courses To Be Discontinued On Aug 31
The Government issued a reminder that effective August 31st 2018, the courses offered through the Community Education Development Programme [CEDP] will be discontinued, and the current offices located in Hamilton and Warwick will both close.
“In June this year, the Minister of Education and Workforce Development Diallo Rabain initially informed the public of this reorganization in a Ministerial Statement, and advised that the staff will be transferred to the Department of Workforce Development on September 1st 2018,” a spokesperson said.
“The reorganization of the community programme stems from data gathered during the undertaking of both a feasibility study and an operational review by the Government’s Management Consulting Section.
“The historical demand for the community courses offered was assessed during the past 5 years and data revealed a declining trend in enrolment of the courses provided and the majority of participants that did enroll in the programme courses were non-Bermudians.”
Minister Rabain stated: “Consequently, options were developed by MCS with the input of CEDP staff that focused on the needs of vulnerable Bermudians and that best supported the Government’s agenda.
“After listing and assessing benefits and challenges associated with each option, the optimal path was to transition the CEDP staff inclusive of the Summer Internship Programme to the Career Development and Training Sections in the Department of Workforce Development.
“The knowledge and skillsets that the CEDP staff will bring to the work programme of these Sections will directly support the vulnerable Bermudians in preparation for the workforce, as originally intended.”
The Government noted that “although the offering of community education courses will be discontinued, the summer work-shadow or internship programme for high school students will continue as the responsibility of the Department of Workforce Development.”
On behalf of the CEDP staff, Executive Director, Dr. Patricia Chapman, extended sincere thanks to those who supported the community programme during the past years; to include all participants, instructors, council members, school personnel, business partners and community stakeholders whose commitment and support enhanced and promoted life-long learning for people of all ages in the community.
Dr. Chapman also shared: “There are several organizations that the public can contact as alternative course providers. I encourage interested persons to visit the website to find a list of these services that have been listed as a resource.”
Why is the PLP Govt. recommending certain private businesses? This seems a bit problematic to me!!
Socialee Consulting posts a glowing recommendation by Dr. Melvyn Bassett, Former Managing Director of Sandy’s 360. That’s all I need to know to confirm my suspicions.
Three reasons I stopped taking the courses.
1) Last two courses I signed up for were cancelled due to lack of interest / not enough people signed up. And of course, when I was told – it was to late to sign up for something else.
2) Very little change in course offerings in each area. There were a few classes I would have liked to take that was only offered in the Central and East parishes. Because I live and work in the west I could not make the start times. Would have been nice if they moved around a bit.
3) The course directories were not advertised or distributed in places that were convenient. I would occasionally come across a copy of the course book in a post office when it was too late to sign up because I oly have a reason to go there every two or three months.
This is most likely the main reason for the closure.
”the majority of participants that did enroll in the programme courses were non-Bermudians.”
“The majority of participants that did enrol in the programme courses were non-Bermudians.”
That pretty much says it all right there. Bermudians don’t want to do what it takes to improve their skill sets to get the jobs.
Humiliation of the mass – People will not spend the time and money to improve themselves if there is no incentive to learning and self-improvement. They will simply settle for a government job at the minimum wage.
Well that should highlight the importance of epats in the community in general they add value to the economy without them of businesses would struggle most bermudians shop overseas so maybe close shoos and stores in hamilton and open a computer centre for bermudians only ,to place overseas online orders bermudian only stickers for other servicrs and a discount if u use a local service …… this is not heading in a good direction divide divide ……..gone
I signed up for one of the Spring Courses (Business Accounting). Although it was for a brief time, I totally enjoyed the lessons taught. I walked away with a certificate. A big shout out to my Teach Mrs. Latoya Francis!!!
This is sad for Bermuda