The Ministry of Economy and Labour thanks the Bermuda Chamber of Commerce for highlighting such an important issue. We welcome their continued partnership as Bermuda prepares for the significant opportunities ahead. While we are encouraged by the progress of the Fairmont Southampton project and look forward to its reopening in 2026, we are mindful of the implications of the labour force demands.
Minister Jason Hayward said, “I thank the Bermuda Chamber of Commerce for raising this important national issue. The Ministry has long recognised the pressures on Bermuda’s labour supply, which is why we have been actively developing policies and training pathways to prepare Bermudians for emerging opportunities. The progress at Fairmont Southampton is encouraging, and the 700 jobs expected will provide meaningful prospects for our people. From the start, we have worked closely with the Fairmont team to ensure Bermudians can access opportunities during construction and when the hotel reopens. Through the National Workforce Advisory Board and its Hospitality Sub-Committee, we are taking a coordinated approach to strengthen our talent pipeline. This is a national workforce matter, and we remain committed to ensuring Bermudians are equipped and positioned to thrive.”
In anticipation of the hotel's reopening, the Ministry of Economy and Labour, through the National Workforce Advisory Board, established a Hospitality Sub-Committee in August 2025 to ensure that Bermudians are well-prepared for the broad range of roles that will emerge. This Sub-Committee comprises representatives from the Department of Workforce Development. Bermuda College, Bermuda Hotel Association, Chamber of Commerce (represented by Ms. Jennifer Woods), the Department of Education, and a cross-section of hospitality professionals.
The Sub-Committee is actively focused on both immediate and long-term workforce strategies to strengthen the talent pipeline.
Current work includes:
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Designing and expanding training programmes offered through the Department of Workforce Development to meet industry demand;
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Identifying opportunities to enhance and better support the hospitality programme at the Bermuda College;
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Mapping skills gaps and developing targeted upskilling pathways for Bermudians across all levels of the hospitality sector.
In addition to the work being done through the Department of Workforce Development, the Ministry of Economy and Labour has been publicly engaged in this conversation for some time. Through several recent position papers and strategic documents, including the Consultation on Retaining the Local Workforce (2024) and Addressing the Challenge of an Ageing Population in Bermuda (2022), as well as ongoing Labour Force Survey reports, the Ministry has highlighted the urgent demographic and labour supply pressures facing Bermuda. These papers outline the increasing reliance on non-Bermudian labour, the ageing workforce, and the need for expanded talent pipelines across all sectors. They also set out a series of policy directions focused on increasing workforce participation, strengthening skills development, modernising training pathways, and ensuring Bermuda has the human-capital capacity required to sustain economic growth. The Ministry’s strategic work in this area reinforces the importance of collaboration and long-term planning as we prepare Bermudians for the opportunities ahead.
We echo the Chamber’s view that this is more than a hospitality matter; this is a national workforce matter.
The Ministry of Economy and Labour remains committed to collaborative planning, continued dialogue, and strategic action to ensure that Bermudians are equipped, supported, and positioned to take full advantage of the emerging opportunities across the economy.