Government has launched a National Training Plan in order to “strengthen Bermuda’s competitive position in local and global markets” and ensure the Island has “a blueprint for workforce development needs”.

The road map also outlines a strategy that will ultimately protect Bermudian jobs by reducing the need for overseas labour, according to Home Affairs Minister Michael Fahy.

Unveiling the plan yesterday, Sen Fahy said that the development of comprehensive planning to ensure a sustainable workforce was “a national imperative”.

“What we have historically seen is uncoordinated workforce planning, hampered by the lack of a single comprehensive body to organise key data, types of professions and the training required to support the economy,” he said.

“Thus, the realisation of Part I of this plan is a significant milestone towards the establishment and alignment of a common framework for the discussions on future workforce numbers.”

Sen Fahy said the recession had created “unprecedented challenges” within our workforce, including job losses, some of which were “unlikely” to be replaced in the near future.

“Some variables attributable to our current status included, but were not limited to, the growing skill gaps, increased costs, advanced technology and expanding globalisation,” he said.

“These issues needed to be immediately addressed and we recognised that our workforce woes were not going to be solved by one single entity. Embarking on the creation of a National Training Plan would take partnership and collaboration in order to ensure the best possible outcomes for the benefit of Bermuda.”

The plan identifies the three pillars of opportunities — current, emerging and transitional.

“Both the public and the private sectors have been carefully examined to determine the current job market as well as short-, medium- and long-term opportunities for employment,” Sen Fahy said.

“The plan considers the short-term to be a period of 24 months, the medium-term, up to five years and the long-term up to ten years.

“A critical delivery item in the plan was to illustrate career pathways, both traditional and non-traditional, that will ensure Bermudians are also positioned to avail themselves of prospects in the economic resurgence, both locally and globally.

“Ultimately, as stakeholders and members of the public delve deeper into the pages of Part I of the National Training Plan they will begin to appreciate and understand the steps that must be taken to build new capacity and develop human capital.

“Finally, as Bermuda moves to reposition itself as a top destination for business it is my hope that the National Training Plan will be seen as the standard bearer for the coordination and forward planning of the training and development needs of Bermuda’s workforce.”