Bermuda’s bartender shortage is being tackled by a Chamber of Commerce-assembled group, in the hope that local labour can man the taps and mix the drinks.

“The whole goal is to identify shortfalls and fill those shortfalls,” said Philip Barnett, a participant in the initiative.

“Just to be clear, there are some excellent Bermudian top-level mixologists that are performing in this space, but there are just not enough of them.”

The chamber’s restaurant division has brought together local bartenders, restaurant representatives, distributors, the BIU and the Bermuda Hotel Association to address the bartender shortage.

Customer expectations, the skills required to fulfil the industry’s evolving need for skilled bartenders and employment opportunities on the island are being examined.

“The issue is that it’s a closed category, so there’s no ability to bring in bartenders to fulfil that shortfall,” said Mr Barnett, who is president of Island Restaurant Group.

He hoped to bring in “guest workers to help fill that shortfall with the pre-eminent final outcome being elevating Bermudians into these positions or offering job opportunities to Bermudians in the pathway to become self sufficient”.

“When we talk about qualified bartenders, we mean what some people would call mixologists. We don’t necessarily mean a bar porter or someone who is pouring a pint of beer. What we mean is a level of knowledge, of sanctification, training that puts them at the very top tier, and that’s been exceedingly in short supply.”

The group has defined a number bartending categories and ranked them from the lowest to highest tier in terms of experience and qualifications needed. Listed categories include bar backs, bartender levels one to three, and ambassadors and bartender trainers.

An information session will be held on February 5 and 7 at 9.30am for restaurants, bars and hotels. An online session will be held on February 9.

For current and aspiring bartenders, sessions will be held on February 5 at 5.15pm and February 6 at 9.30am. Online sessions will be held on February 7 at 5.15pm and February 10 at 9.30am.

The in-person instruction will take place at the Bermuda Chamber of Commerce.

“The way forward is making sure it’s collaborative and that it always gives Bermudians the first opportunity and a clear path to be able to participate,” Mr Barnett said.

Those interested in participating can sign up online. For more information, call 292-4501 or e-mail info@bcc.bm.