Column: Musson On Youth, Future & More

[Opinion column written by Iesha Musson]

I have been paying a lot of attention to the Progressive Labour Party [PLP] Government’s plans to shape the future of the Bermudian workforce and pave the way for the next generation to stride confidently into the world of work. What I have observed is both encouraging and inspiring. A true investment in our generation and the future of Bermuda.

At the forefront of this is the Youth Employment Strategy [Y.E.S.], a visionary project of the Bermuda Government and driven through the facilitations of the Department of Workforce Development. The Y.E.S. is more than a program, it’s a safety net that connects young Bermudians to genuine work, networking, and training opportunities. This year alone, the program has aided over 500 young individuals in gaining jobs and considerable experience.

The Strategy is intended for Bermudians between the ages of 18 and 26. Its purpose is very straightforward: it is meant to ensure that we have the skills, experience, and confidence to succeed within the modern economy. This is a commitment of sustainable work, independence, and equality within the job market for each Bermudian young person who chooses to put themselves forward.

This program brings together the government, businesses, and organizations to solve the issue of youth unemployment through the implementation of nine key strategies that range from the development of training and apprentice’s programs to youth entrepreneur programs and S.T.E.A.M. education. The program also includes strategies that target at-risk youth and encourage Bermudians abroad to return to the island and share their talents with the community.

This inclusive approach is paying off. As per the most updated Bermuda Labour Force Survey, youth unemployment has reduced significantly from a high of 30 to 33 percent a few years back to a merely 2.4 percent in May 2024. This is not a fact but progress.

Today, Bermuda faces a fascinating dilemma. The fact is that there are more jobs than qualified Bermudians to fill them. This presents a remarkable opportunity for young Bermudians to begin a rewarding and lucrative career right in their own back yard.

The various sectors that the Government has identified to bridge the gap of high demand are:

• Chef de Partie / Cooks
• Directors and Chief Executives
• Hospitality Workers
• actuaries
• Finance Managers
• Accountants
• Registered Nurses
• Secondary School Teachers
• Masons
• Plumbers
• Electricians
• Landscape Gardeners

These are not simply career paths; these are the ways you will shape and build the future of Bermuda. Aligning yourself and your level of training within these emerging industries will allow you to play a crucial role within your community.

During a recent presentation at the House of Assembly, the Minister of Economy and Labour Jason Hayward spoke of the young people whose lives have been transformed because of the opportunities afforded to them through the Y.E.S. program. One young man, moving from the Independent Living Facility, is starting the Bridge to Work program. Another young person secured an interview with the Bermuda Hospitals Board for the position of Addictions Counselor Assistant. A young man of 23 has begun the path towards a career as a mason.

These are not merely success stories but a testament that when the right opportunity meets the right kind of support, the right kind of change can and does take place.

I think the Youth Employment Strategy is more than a policy; it’s a promise. The promise of investment in Bermuda’s youth and the power to help shape the future of the island. To every young Bermudian standing at the crossroads of what’s next: the opportunities are here. The future is ours to create. Together, we can ensure that Bermuda thrives for generations to come.

- Iesha T. Musson, Constituency #20, Pembroke South West

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