Good Afternoon and Welcome:
Today, I am pleased to announce the formation of a new Workforce Development Plan Working Group. The remit of this initiative is to lay the foundation for a 21st Century Workforce Development System for Bermuda. It is important to have a National Workforce System in which the primary aim is to connect people with jobs. It is within this context that a comprehensive Workforce Development Plan is critical for the advancement of Bermuda’s workforce.
The development of a National Workforce Development Plan will allow the Government to:
- Set Directions and Priorities
- Ensure key stakeholders are on the same page
- Simplify decision-making
- Align essential resources
- Communicate key messages
The Workforce Development Plan Working Group is a non-statutory committee that will consist of the following members.
- Chairman - Senator Jason Hayward JP, Junior Minister for Education and Workforce Development
- George Outerbridge, Director of Department of Workforce Development
- Pandora Glasford, Training Manager, Department of Workforce Development
- Judy Teart, Acting Career Development Manager, Department of Workforce Development
- Tawana Flood, Director, Division of Professional and Career Education, Bermuda College
- Tammy Richardson, Dean, Division of Arts & Sciences, Bermuda College
- Dr. Trescot Wilson, Dean, Division of Business, Hospitality and Technical Education, Bermuda College,
- Dr. Radell Tankard, Acting Assistant Director Senior Schools, Department of Education
- Levar Bassett, Career Pathways Facilitator, Department of Education
In 2017, the Speech from the Throne announced that the Government will create a National Workforce Development Plan ”to ensure that Bermudians are properly prepared to take advantage of both current and future job opportunities”. The Government believes that upgrading the skills of Bermuda’s labour force through a solid workforce development plan is critical to our long-term prospect for broad-based and inclusive economic growth. It’s not enough just to create more jobs; Bermudians must be given a fair shot at the jobs that already exist today. Opportunities to prepare Bermudians with skills to enter the job market are a key step in ensuring that our people are employed. The National Workforce Development Plan will set the framework so Bermudians are equipped for the world of work.