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

I am joined here today by Mr Romeo Ruddock from the Bermuda College and Mrs Meisha Medford from Take 5 Ltd, Mr Karl Massam from Yellow Finn Group, Mr. Shawn Lekki from Hamilton Princess & Beach Club and Mrs. Savannah Parfitt from Huckleberry Restaurant and Mrs. Malika Cartwright from the Department of Workforce Development.

As the Minister of Economy and Labour, my responsibility includes providing the necessary services and opportunities to get Bermudians back to work. 

To that end, the public will recall that one of the 31 priority initiatives, as outlined in Bermuda’s Economic recovery Plan, is the implementation of our Youth Employment Strategy. This strategy will help guide unemployed Bermudian youth back to work and train them in jobs currently occupied by guest workers. 

And so I am excited to announce the launch of the Learn to Earn Programme

This public-private partnership collaboration is funded by independent restaurant operators, the Department of Workforce Development, Bermuda College, and the Bermuda Tourism Authority.

It is part of the Government’s overall plan to reduce youth unemployment by attracting inexperienced jobseekers into the tourism industry and giving them hands-on experience, plus international and entry-level certification.

The two-part training programme is set to kick off in early May 2022 and aims to attract sixteen young Bermudian job seekers and train them for careers in the food and beverage industry.

The chosen participants will undertake skills-development courses, followed by paid on-the-job training opportunities. 

The programme will include

• Entry-level academic course work at Bermuda College towards the American Hotel & Lodging Educational Institute (AHLEI) certification.
• Industry-specific skills training towards certification gives participants experience as baristas, food handlers, wine servers, and other skills. 
• Programme participants will participate in an eight-week paid internship, with a week spent working at each participating restaurant group.

Young Bermudians between 18 and 26 years of age interested in a career in the food and beverage industry are invited to apply through www.bermudajobboard.bm search Learn-to-Earn.

At this time, I want to offer my sincere thanks and appreciation to the Department of Workforce Development, the BTA and the five participating restaurant groups consisting of:

• Take Five Ltd. (Devil’s Isle, Village Pantry, Buzz Cafes);
• Yellowfin Group (Astwood Arms, Bistro J, Café TEN, Pearl, Port of Call, Yours Truly);
• Island Restaurant Group (Barracuda Grill, Brew, Hog Penny Pub, Pickled Onion, Frog & Onion);
• Hamilton Princess Hotel; and the
• Huckleberry Restaurant.”

Without your commitment to our youth, this programme would not be possible.

Lastly, I want to remind the public that this Government remains committed to working with stakeholders across the island to help employ Bermudians in all areas. 

This partnership is yet another excellent example of Government and private organizations working together for the betterment of young Bermudians.

Thank You.