BELCO Apprenticeship Programme Participants
BELCO announced that 15 Bermudians were successful in their applications to join their Apprenticeship Programme; Cornell Young, Dylan Furbert, Fernando Brown, Gaiya Melakot, Jahkari Furbert, Kalae Fox, Leano Ming, Daiquin Jennings-Arorash, Eusebio Blankendale, Freeman Lima, Jacari Renfroe, Malik Smith, Martin Gutt, Zaren Bennet and Zebadiah Rawlins.
A spokesperson said, “The four-year Apprenticeship Programme offers the opportunity to train in a structured way towards a successful and rewarding career. The programme blends technical training and academic study with work-based learning to kick-start careers in Bermuda’s evolving energy industry with apprentices earning as they learn.
“This year the recruitment process was restructured offering opportunity for the best candidates Bermuda had to offer. The apprentice recruitment process was led by Bulk Generation Managing Director Nadir Wade in conjunction with the Department of Workforce Development.
“There were 180 applicants for the programme who underwent various tests on a wide range of skills. Once testing and screening had been completed, 14 men and one woman were selected to join BELCO. The apprentices will spend the next eight months in Bermuda learning about BELCO operations through guided hands-on training before going overseas to continue their studies.
“Upon completion of the programme, successful candidates shall be assessed for progression to graded positions and placed in designated areas of the business. Apprentices fill various roles within the Company including Electrical Fitters, Mechanical Fitters, Line Workers and Electrical Jointers.
“BELCO’s Apprenticeship Programme has evolved over the last 30 years and many of the Company’s skilled workforce are past apprentices that graduated from the programme and are now employed full-time at the Company.”
BELCO President Wayne Caines said: “I’m thrilled to welcome our new cohort of Apprentices to the BELCO family. BELCO has invested in our future through the Apprenticeship Programme for more than 30 years with many of our first-class Bermudian employees having come through the programme. We had a great response to the programme with almost 200 applicants and we have chosen the best 15 young Bermudians who can look forward to an engaging, challenging and exciting career by joining our team who are building a sustainable energy future for Bermuda.”
Minister of Labour Jason Hayward attended the apprentice induction ceremony and said: “On behalf of the Ministry of Labour, I would like to congratulate the apprentices. I also thank BELCO for offering these young Bermudians this opportunity and the Department of Workforce Development for their continuous efforts in such programmes.
“This is an awesome opportunity to build a pathway to a lifelong career, and I encourage these apprentices to make the most of this programme. The Bermuda Government has rolled out a National Reemployment Strategy to get as many Bermudians back to work as possible. We are in the process of rolling out a Youth Employment Strategy to ensure our young people are equipped to enter the workforce. A key component to the Government’s Youth Employment Strategy is the expansion of apprenticeship programmes throughout the island.”
For more information about the Apprenticeship Programme visit www.belco.bm.
Go Gaiya! SO SO proud of you!
Congrats Daiquin!