A lack of 'soft skills' could be preventing black Bermudian males from finishing high school and furthering their education.

The possibility was one idea mooted in a study which examined the employment, educational and earning gaps of black males against their same-aged peers.

The study, 'On the Wall or on the Margins? A study of employment, earnings and educational attainment gaps between young black males and their same-age peers', was complied by Columbia University professor Ronald Mincy.

It highlighted 'soft skills' such as punctuality, adhering to rules and listening to authority as one of the many reasons behind young black men's attitudes.

"For decades, black Bermudians were relegated to the lowest positions on the occupational ladder, including those in domestic work and hotels," the report stated. "In the eyes of young Bermudian men today, soft skills may too closely resemble the subservient behaviour their fathers had to display to make a decent living."

The report found more than half of the number of black males in Bermuda don't complete their final year of high school or advance to higher education.

"Because there is no four-year college in Bermuda, boys need to go overseas to achieve a Bachelor's degree or higher," the report stated. "However, a lack of resources accompanied by a lack of knowledge about college requirements, scholarships, and the processes involved in applying for and attending a four-year college overseas presents obstacles to boys' clarity about what to do after they graduate from high school.

"A lack of knowledge about employment options and suspicions of a glass ceiling in the higher paying industries such as finance, may be limiting their professional aspirations."

The boys also might be more interested in a "hands-on" job, the report stated.

It also found that many black males believe they will be happier in a job with flexible work hours and that their father's line of work often influences their career choice.

Declan Harris, director of The Educational Centre [TEC] said a lack of soft skills is a problem he sees with his students on a regular basis.

"I do agree that it's a problem. We're working constantly with the kids to show them why it's important, why an employer would think it's important. It doesn't always translate. I think one of the ways that the system could address that is to appoint someone into the role of life skills coordinator."

Mr. Harris said the late Elaine Darooyana was the education officer in charge of the position. Since her death in 2007 however, the position has yet to be filled.

He said he met with-then Education Minister Randy Horton who promised to look into it but was then removed from the post without making any change.

"I think that that is one of the ways as a system we could possibly address that. I'm not suggesting that we don't have life skills but if we don't have anyone coordinating it, what are we planning for? Another part is character education."

Asked why young men lack soft skills, Mr. Harris said the question was "difficult" and preferred to give an example.

"About eight years ago, we put into place a very controversial policy. If a child arrives after 9.15, we contact the parent and we tell the child they're not serious about the day's work. When we first did that, the majority of the stakeholders said all we're trying to do is to encourage children to come up with an excuse because they know that if they come after nine, they don't have to come.

"Now children learn awfully fast. It happens probably once. After, they realise that we won't accept that. These excuses are not good enough. They come back the next day on time."

He continued: "I just think that it comes down to having structure and enforcing rules and regulations. I'm a firm believer that it starts in the home. Unfortunately if those skills are not being displayed either by the parent or the guardian then it creates a very difficult job for any educator. I feel strongly that we need to look at these soft skills."

To see the complete report, click here