The Minister of Economy and Labour addressed members of the West End community about the factors his ministry must tackle to help boost the island’s workforce.

Jason Hayward spoke to Sandys Rotary Club last week as a guest of honour in one of its biweekly meetings and gave Rotarians an analysis of Bermuda’s economic terrain.

Mr Hayward said: “Our focus on workforce development is not just about economic growth — it’s about securing a prosperous future for all Bermudians.

“As we move forward with the Economic Development Strategy, we will continue to prioritise Bermudian talent, ensuring that our people are equipped to seize new opportunities and contribute meaningfully to the economy.”

Mr Hayward highlighted that the largest problem facing Bermuda’s job market was the island’s ageing population.

He explained that the shrinking pool of workers led to labour shortages and strains on the pension and healthcare systems.

Mr Hayward added that fewer young people were entering the Bermudian workforce, which made filling posts gap even more difficult.

He said it meant that retaining local talent was “crucial” for keeping Bermuda’s economy and culture strong.

Mr Hayward said: “A strong local workforce is vital not only for economic stability, but also for nurturing community ties and preserving the unique cultural identity of Bermuda.

“Our consultation on retaining the local workforce highlights that investing in the development of Bermudians creates a sustainable pipeline of skilled workers, helping to mitigate the brain drain by providing career advancement opportunities.”

Mr Hayward said that plans to retain talent would include creating inclusive workplaces and offering professional development and competitive salaries.

He added that the Ministry of Economy and Labour hoped to funnel Bermudians into high-demand industries such as technology and renewable energy.

Mr Hayward outlined several strategies to help strengthen Bermuda’s workforce and economy.

Strategic Priority 5 of the Economic Development Strategy, he explained, referenced the use of workforce development programmes to offer skills that would fill high-demand industries.

The National Workforce Development Strategy would point individuals towards job opportunities, while the Youth Employment Strategy would create career pathways for young people aged between 18 and 26.

Mr Hayward said that the strategies would include internships and partnerships with industry leaders.

He added: “This approach not only enhances skill development, but also fosters a more robust local workforce prepared to meet the demands of a changing economy.”

Mr Hayward reminded the Rotary club that his ministry created a National Certification and Apprenticeship Board to oversee the skill development programmes.

He added that personal employment plans were being offered to give people looking for work a personalised road map to for gainful employment.

The minister said: “Together, these initiatives reflect our commitment to investing in our people and creating a robust pipeline of qualified talent that meets the need of our economy.

“They also signify a broader vision of workforce development, where every Bermudian has the opportunity to thrive and contribute meaningfully to their community.”

Mr Hayward assured attendees that the economy was recovering steadily from the Covid-19 pandemic.

He said there was a 3 per cent increase in the job market between 2022 and 2023, though he admitted the country was still 1,512 jobs below pre-pandemic levels.

Mr Hayward said that accommodation and food service, international business and professional sectors had seen significant job growth, while all age groups saw increases in employment.

He added that there had been “modest” growth in jobs taken up by Bermudians.

Mr Hayward assured the Rotarians that growth would promote gender equality in the workforce and grow novel industries and environmentally sustainable jobs.