New signature programmes at CedarBridge and The Berkeley Institute are based on high-demand sectors of the economy and “will bode well as a start for our students upon entering the workforce”, the Education Minister said.

Diallo Rabain last night announced that CedarBridge Academy is to offer Signature Learning Programmes in Building Construction and Maintenance, and STEM [Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics], while Berkeley will offer Health and Social Care, and Finance and Insurance Services.

Mr Rabain said that the announcement marks “a significant step forward in education reform in Bermuda”.

He said: “These four Signature Learning Programmes will bode well as a start for our students upon entering the workforce.”

Mr Rabain said they are based on high-demand sectors of the economy, adding: “There will be a continuing need in the Bermuda economy for building construction to maintain, redevelop and refurbish buildings and physical infrastructure on the island.

“As per the 2020 Employment Brief, the Bermuda labour market in 2019 showed that construction, combined with retail trade and repair, accounted for 14 per cent of filled jobs.”

Mr Rabain said that STEM is forecast to be one of the biggest growth sectors of the global economy.

He said: “In 2019, there were three times as many non-Bermudians compared to Bermudians who filled occupations such as software engineers, software developers and application programmers.”

Mr Rabain said the demand for health and social care services is “ever increasing with a need to be less reliant on overseas recruitment”.

“In 2019, the human health and social work sector represented 5 per cent of GDP and increased for the fifth consecutive year bolstered by growth in residential care activities for the elderly and disabled. The demand for Bermudians to work in the healthcare sector is ripe.”

He added: “Similarly, insurance, reinsurance and financial services continue to be thriving and robust sectors of the economy in Bermuda.

“International business drives Bermuda’s economy as it is a primary source of revenue and contributes significantly to GDP.”

The Signature Learning Programmes will consist of modules on relevant academic subjects and practical skills training.

There will be individual and group projects focused on real-world issues and challenges, internships and work placements, guidance on careers and further education, and relevant accreditation.

School Transformation Teams will help to design the transformation of public schools and will be made up of stakeholders from across the education system. Recruitment for the teams began yesterday.

They will be inducted from June 14 to 16 and will plan, test and develop the Signature Learning programmes from September to February 2022.

The transition to implement the programmes will take place from March 2022 to August 2022 in time for the September 2022 opening.

Six other signatures were recently announce by the minister. They are: Climate, Environment, Agriculture and Resources; Community and Social Investment; Arts and Culture; Education Services; Sports and Leisure Management; Financial and Insurance Services.

Anyone interested in joining the transformation teams should visit www.learningfirstbda.com or send an e-mail to schoolredesign@moed.bm