Department of Workforce Development 2016 Scholarship Awards

Ministerial Statement by the Minister of Home Affairs, The Hon. R. Patricia Gordon-Pamplin, JP, MP

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to provide information with respect to the Annual Scholarship Awards Program provided by the Department of Workforce Development (DWD).

Mr. Speaker, For many high school students the dream of attending college or university is an appealing thought. Throughout their teen years they are constantly reminded that higher educational pursuits serve as a pathway to attaining better employment options and opportunities in the future. Some students will find that the dream to attend college or university is far reaching because of the economic burden it could have on their families particularly in this challenging financial climate where their parents may not be engaged in full employment. Additionally, college and university tuition costs increase almost yearly making it more difficult for families to afford the opportunity to have their young people participate in higher education programs. As a result, applying for scholarship awards is essential for families in order to ‘keep the dream alive’.

Mr. Speaker, The department continues to play a leading role in shaping the characteristics of the future workforce. In 2015, the National Training Board (NTB) considered the economic environment and the burden that families are facing.  As a result, they voted to raise the annual National Technical Vocational Training Awards (NTVT) from $5,000 to $10,000 per annum. Last year the DWD and the NTB granted 25 awards to individuals attending overseas institutions. This year the number is at 22 awards granted from a total of 61 applications. All applications were posted online using the www.scholarships.bm website.

The Education Awards Sub-Committee considered the following criteria to determine the successful applicants:

1. Economic workforce trends: according to data gathered in the National Training Plan there is an indication that the construction, hospitality, information technology and health sectors have promise of future opportunities therefore emphasis was placed on applicants studying in these areas. Focus was also placed on areas where there is a need for an increased number of Bermudians;
2. Financial need; and
3. Academic achievement;

Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to announce that after careful examination of the criteria and applications received, the Education Awards Committee of the NTB selected the following 22 students to receive the 2016 NTVT Award.

Mr. Speaker, The total number of students currently attending overseas institutions being supported by the Department total 77 in 2015 and 81 in 2016, including the new awards I announced previously. These numbers represent returning students who maintain the required 2.7 GPA annually.  The scholarship awards are granted on the basis that the educational programs do not exceed 4 years.

Mr. Speaker, It pleases me to also announce that the DWD provides tuition support to individuals attending the Bermuda College.  Last year 73 students received funding for their tuition costs.  This year that figure is expected to remain fairly stable although the final numbers cannot be determined until the end of August deadline for funding applications for those attending local institutions.

Mr. Speaker, as I prepare to close, let me take this opportunity to appeal to the business community, despite the tough times, to consider providing internships or substantive employment to our college and university graduates upon completion of their studies. These can be paid or volunteer opportunities that will allow them to gain exposure to the ‘world of work’. Let’s work together to encourage and support Bermuda’s future workforce talent. The collective participation of both the public and private sectors is vitally important to the professional development of our young people.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker