Participants in a programme intended to help young Bermudians find careers were celebrated yesterday after almost the entire cohort found work.

Lieutenant-Colonel David Burch, the Minister of Public Works, said that only two of the participants in the Skills Development Programme had yet to confirm that they had secured full-time work.

“This is precisely what the programme was designed to accomplish,” he said.

“Light a passion in the participants for this type of work, awaken our social conscience, develop a positive work ethos and provide full-time employment.”

Speaking at a graduation ceremony for participants, Colonel Burch said the SDP has become a “driving force in cultivating skills and nurturing talent” among young Bermudians in the field of horticulture.

“Its vision, rooted in the principles of providing not just vocational training but a foundation for life skills, has guided its mission, empowered participants and reinforced the importance of community activism and responsibility,” he added.

“Today, we are not just acknowledging the completion of a programme, we are celebrating the journey of transformation that these individuals have embarked upon.”

Colonel Burch said the success of the programme was a testament to the commitment of the participants to bettering themselves and embracing opportunities.

He noted that of the 14 participants and three summer students who took part in the programme, all but two have secured full-time employment.

“Some have secured full-time positions within the Department of Parks, Public Works and other government departments reflecting the SDP’s effectiveness in preparing our young people for gainful employment within our government institution,” Colonel Burch added.

“Others have secured positions within the private sector, displaying the broader impact and recognition of the skills honed through this initiative.

“While we celebrate these achievements, it’s essential to recognise that immediate outcomes do not solely define success. We eagerly await official confirmation for the two remaining participants who are in the final stages of securing full-time employment.”

He said the impact of the programme extends beyond the achievements of its participants to the wider community by highlighting the opportunities that are available with hard work and commitment.

Colonel Burch told the graduates: “Your dedication, perseverance and achievements serve as an inspiration to us all. I encourage you to continue embracing new challenges and I wish you nothing but success in your future endeavours.”

The participants in the hands-on training programme tackled a range of projects across the island, including working on school grounds for the return of students, preparing the Botanical Gardens for the Agricultural Exhibition, clearing trails and, most recently, preparing houses to decorate the Trimingham Hill roundabout.

The programme also assisted the 2023 End-to-End and the Matilda Smith Seniors Home.