Good day to members of the media and the listening public. 

I am joined here today by the Minister of Finance and Erica Smith, Executive Director of the BEDC.

Introduction

In today’s press conference I will provide an update on two (2) areas:

1. Work From Bermuda Statistics and Renewals for the 2nd Year;
2. Department of Workforce Development Programme Updates. 

1. Work From Bermuda Statistics and Renewals for the 2nd Year

I am pleased to report that the 1-Year Residential Certificate programme continues to find success. We have now received a total of 587 applications of which 508 have been approved. I can further advise that of the approved applications, 244 are currently enjoying life in Bermuda and contributing daily to the local economy.  

The Department continues to receive applications in various stages of completion. From the large number of applications received, it is clear that the Residential Certificate continues to be quite popular. There is also a demand for one year residents to reside for an additional year, which these persons can apply for after 6 months or residency in Bermuda.

2. Department of Workforce Development Programme Updates

At this time, I will provide an interim update on the targeted delivery of training and development programmes and initiatives to assist the thousands of Bermudians who are out-of-work as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic to retool and upskill their abilities.  

I am pleased to inform members of the public and the media that all industry stakeholders participating in these training initiatives have committed to providing employment opportunities to meet their respective staffing needs across the various related occupations and industries. 

This Government remains steadfast in its commitment to addressing the unemployment crisis by supporting training initiatives in occupations where expatriate workers have repatriated and Bermudians can work and adequately fill those needs in Bermuda’s workforce.  

To communicate with individuals participating in training programmes, several virtual and in-person Orientation Information presentations were conducted by the Department of Workforce Development staff and industry HR professionals. Each stakeholder shared their expectations with participants and invited feedback about their respective occupations. Components of these sessions included work ethic expectations, employability skills, soft and hard skills job requirements, a brief history of the challenges and successes of the industry as well as the potential opportunity for employment and growth in the industry. 

I will now provide an update on the following training and development programmes and its impact on the number of Bermudians participating in them.  A hybrid approach of virtual/online and on-the-job training has been used to ensure that Bermudians receive optimum training to meet the various levels and needs of unemployed Bermudians. These opportunities include training for Bermudians who have very little to no experience in the respective training occupations to increase their chances for employment.

The Certified Cleaning Technicians programme, in partnership with the cleaning industry, eleven (11) Bermudians successfully completed the training programme on the 10th December with all receiving Certificates. To date, four (4) companies are in the process of interviewing prospective candidates for employment. Other companies will contact the Department after reviewing their staffing needs in the New Year. 

Due to the success of the programme and the fact it was oversubscribed, a second cohort will commence training in March 2021, the last quarter of this fiscal year. In partnership with twelve (12) Cleaning Companies, with Atlantic Cleaning and Maintenance selected to spearhead the training programme. 

The MEF Group of Companies Waiter Server programme. The Waiter Server training programme is being offered in partnership with the MEF Group and is progressing well.  The programme currently has twelve (12) Bermudians enrolled. These twelve (12) participants were sources in response to advertisements on the Bermuda Job Board and referrals from the Department’s database. The programme is a 15 week, in-house, on-the-job training programme where participants follow a set curriculum and rotate among the MEF restaurants.  Similar to the former restaurant training programme, this on-the-job training initiative has been suspended until the New Year as a result of the current COVID-19 restrictions.   

 The Certified Administrative Professionals (CAPS). 

The Certified Administrative Professionals programme, currently has fifteen (15) Bermudians enrolled. These fifteen (15) Bermudians were assessed and selected from a group of one hundred and forty (140) unemployed registered applicants. This training commenced on December 10, 2020.  Due to the programme, being oversubscribed, and given the demand of the industry, the Department will implement the Microsoft Office Specialist (MOS) training in partnership with the Bermuda College as an entry-level certification for Office Assistants.  This training will commence in March 2021. 

Learn-to-Earn. The new health restrictions placed on the restaurant industry as of December 8, 2020, have had a direct impact on this training programme.  Each of the industry partners involved; namely Huckleberry’s, Henry’s, Take 5 Group, Island Restaurant Group and Yellow Fin Group have encountered large scale cancellations and loss of business and as a result, the decision was taken to suspend the programme for a second time as a result of COVID-19.  This is most unfortunate as the Department’s efforts, which only just begun on November 23, 2020, were directed at completing training for the first and second cohort of twelve (12) trainees which were previously suspended in March 2020 when the COVID-19 Pandemic first hit;  a third cohort was scheduled to commence January 25, 2021.

The Department of Workforce Development also remains committed to ensuring that these Bermudians complete their training and will remain in contact with the Industry partners.

The Microsoft Clips on-line training programme currently has fifteen (15) Bermudians enrolled. These fifteen (15) Bermudians were assessed and selected from a group of fifty-five (55) unemployed registered applicants.  The Department of Workforce Development team will monitor client use and lend support and encouragement where needed.  

Digital Literacy.  The Digital Literacy programme provides basic Microsoft Office Suite computer training and instruction for entry-level uses. The programme currently has ten (10) Bermudians to enroll. These ten (10) Bermudians were selected from a group of forty-six (46) unemployed registered applicants.  Due to the programme being oversubscribed, a second cohort of ten (10) will commence training in February 2021, with the possibility of a third cohort in March 2021. 

Horticulture Training Programme. The Certificate in Basic Horticulture offered in partnership with the Bermuda College currently has eleven (11) Bermudians registered. These eleven (11) Bermudians were assessed and selected from a group of twenty-nine (29) unemployed registered applicants and thirty-nine (29) from the rolls of the unemployment register who were invited to apply.  Classes for an additional cohort will commence on January 18, 2021

Graduate Training Programme.   Applicants have been shortlisted and the Department will be contacting these individuals to begin interviews this week.  The programme has capacity for a total of fifteen (15) participants.  Successful candidates will receive coaching, employability skills training and one-on-one support to develop their personal brand.  Each participant will be afforded the opportunity to work in their area of study.  

We are committed to addressing youth unemployment and sufficiently developing persons to make a significant contribution to Bermuda’s workforce.  For this reason, the remaining applicants will also receive similar work readiness training and coaching to successfully position them to enter the workforce.  It is anticipated that the programme will launch in the coming weeks.

As a result of these programs, we now have approximately 110 Bermudians in training and employment initiates. Additional training programmes and initiatives will be offered in the New Year to ensure that more Bermudians are afforded the opportunity to enhance their employability and professional skills. 

At this time, I must express my gratitude to the Department of Workforce Development staff for their hard work, commitment and professionalism as they address the sensitive concerns and anxiety of clients during these unprecedented times.