Column: Chris Famous On Workforce & More

[Opinion column written by MP Chris Famous]

A few days ago someone wrote on social media that they see very few Bermudians in the following fields:

• Construction
• Landscaping
• Plumbing
• Cosmetology
• Culinary arts

They are actually correct.

What they left out is the “why” this is the case, as we know, nothing happens on its own. Additionally, this is happening in every one of the British Overseas Territories. Each one of those jurisdictions have had to import thousands of skilled workers in order to have a functioning society. The net result is an immigration imbalance that now has more guest workers than locals in many fields.

So, if we actually want to address these issues we need several doses of honesty.

Bermuda, has for the last two generations stigmatised those who work in the trades as less than or lower on the socio economic scales of society. This can possibly be said for other islands as well, who have pushed for persons to work in white collar professions.

So, the net result is that we have little to no encouragement from homes, churches, civic organizations and yes even governments, to guide young persons into the trades. When a young person passes the bar or joins an IB firm they get a newspaper or social media posts. Those who get technical qualifications are never treated with equal fanfare.

Pathways to Skills

If someone /anyone is really actually interested in learning construction related skills there are multiple avenues for them to do so. No different than if / when someone is interested in learning to be a lawyer or accountant.

It all starts with people actually wanting to do it. Here are some pathways towards attaining skill sets:

• Bermuda College courses
• Department of Workforce Development
• Easy access to trade schools in US, UK or Canada
• Hands on training / learning via working in the field
• Online courses

Unfortunately, our false / inflated pride over the last 40 years has caused us to now rely on those from so called “less developed” regions in order to keep our islands functioning. We would not be able to physically grow our financial or hospitality sectors in any given island, without those workers. The irony is that unless we have an influx of locals wanting to get into skilled trades, we will become minorities in most of the work categories of our respective islands, if not so already. This leads to longer term immigration/demographic related issues.

The fact is when we have a problem at our house no one is checking any passports, we simply want to hear “It’s the plumber, I’ve come to fix the sink”

- Chris Famous, MP for Constituency #11, Devonshire East

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