3 minute read
From the CAOB
by Ian Coles
The Construction Association of Bermuda (CAOB) was founded in 1968 with the aim to make the construction industry safer, more efficient, and better able to contribute to the development of Bermuda. Recently, the CAOB focused its efforts on education and technical learning programs to support the trades. At a time when Bermuda needs to encourage and nurture the future of young Bermudians, however, it has found itself stranded.
The CAOB and its membership are grateful for Bermuda’s leadership, which has done an outstanding job navigating the first phases of the COVID-19 global pandemic. Through strong leadership, hard work, and discipline, Bermuda has allowed those in the construction business to be “last out” prior to shelter in place and “first back” to the workface after lifted restrictions. However, we foresee major adjustments on the horizon. This isn’t something to be dismissed as a potential casualty of the COVID-19 battle but a challenge to overcome by Bermuda’s third economic pillar.
A key component to the continuous work pipeline is the support CAOB provides through its technical and education programmes. The fact is, there is a significant and unfortunate lack of interest in Bermuda for jobs in the construction industry. Ironically, in the hard-working community of Bermuda, construction work is not seen as the challenging, career-building industry that it is. The result is that young people are seeking roles in other sectors. This drought of talent is leaving a gaping hole in the workforce. Given the COVID-19 impact on Bermuda, we foresee a major opportunity for our young people, and recently unemployed, to embrace the “upskill” narrative with technical training offered in Bermuda, as mentioned by Premier Burt during his numerous press conferences. With a local offering for training, the money spent goes where everyone gets the biggest “bang for our buck” – that is on the materials and instructors. Through local training, we don’t spend wasted money out of country for flights, room, and board.
More than 80 training areas are available under National Center for Construction Education and Research (NCCER). With some interest, the small number of courses currently offered could grow and expand into other areas. We currently have technical programmes in Cedarbridge Academy, Berkeley Institute, and Bermuda College. There are close to 50 qualified instructors across the island available to teach NCCER technical courses. The potential for further training programmes is thus immeasurable.
A major risk factor for the CAOBadministered technical education programmes is lack of funding. The CAOB has an $80,000 annual grant from the Bermuda government brokered through the Department of Workforce Development (DWD) for technical education. It was with this small amount of money that CAOB became sponsor
representative for the NCCER. Through this role, the CAOB offers a curriculum for technical training to the current workforce as well as the technical programmes at the learning institutions mentioned above.
Unfortunately, the impact of COVID-19 has meant that the funding grant was suspended in March 2020. To date, we understand the DWD budget is not yet approved, and no funds are available to continue the CAOB offerings. While we wait for our grant approval, we remain at a standstill. In the meantime, the CAOB is actively seeking separate funding and new partnerships; however, these are not yet secured. Until the CAOB role can be supported, these education programmes remain at risk. With disrupted programmes, present interest will fade and the programmes will be discontinued. The shame is that, given the momentum of our first apprenticeship programme, we believe there is a future for technical training in Bermuda. Q
