The Minister of Labour, Community Affairs and Sport has offered words of support to the latest masonry apprenticeship trainees telling them the skills they will gain on the programme are in high demand.

Lovitta Foggo visited the recruits during an orientation session on Tuesday evening.

Speaking on the class being run by the Department of Workforce Development in partnership with the Bermuda College/Pace, and the Construction Association of Bermuda, Ms Foggo said: “First and foremost I want to thank you for answering the call to be a part of the masonry apprenticeship training programme.

“You are a special group and we are going to all that we can to ensure that you succeed.

“This truly is an exciting time and opportunity for you because masons at all levels are in high demand to meet the current and future construction needs in our workforce.”

The course was facilitated to bolster the number of trained and certified Bermudian masons. It will include classroom and on-the-job learn-and-earn training.

Ms Foggo added: “I want to extend my appreciation to the Department of Workforce Development, the Construction Association and the Bermuda College for their willingness to train each of you in this very critical career vocation. We know that the construction industry is a vital contributor to our economy and a significant employer of our local tradesmen.

“And by facilitating this programme, you are not only demonstrating your commitment to Bermuda’s workforce, but you are demonstrating your dedication to providing learning and development opportunities to ensure that Bermudians succeed. Thank you all and good luck to our trainees.”

The masonry programme will include various learning and teaching techniques to accommodate a variety of learning styles. The components will cover the knowledge, skills and Level 1, Level 2, and Level 3 competencies using the National Center for Construction Education and Research (NCCER) Masonry Curriculum.