Amendments to the National Training Board Act designed to help bolster oversight have been passed in the House of Assembly.

The National Training Board Amendment Act 2023, tabled by Jason Hayward, the Minister of Economy and Labour, aims to make the board more effective while renaming it the National Certification and Apprenticeship Board.

The NTB was created in 1997 to oversee trade apprenticeship training schemes.

Mr Hayward said that it had become evident that the legislation governing the board did not allow it to function as effectively as required. He said the amendments would clarify the board’s functions to help deliver programmes to build the workforce.

The NCAB will be responsible for creating a national register of tradesmen, draft a prior-learning assessment and recognition of prior-learning policy, and streamline the national certification process.

Mr Hayward said the work of the new board is critical to enhancing national programmes and certification, and that it is imperative government work in harmony with workforce stakeholders.

Scott Pearman, the One Bermuda Alliance MP, highlighted that training is the “cornerstone” of keeping abreast of fast-changing technology. He asked what trades would be registered and what certification they would be anchored to.

Mr Hayward said that designated trades include welding, electrical and landscape gardening and that the aim is to expand the number of designated trades.

He added: “The board will also look at non-designated trades to improve human resources capacity in those areas.”

He said consideration was being given to the best certifications for each of the skilled trade educational categories and highlighted City & Guilds as a leading certification.

“Occupational advisory committees will be responsible for creating the pathways we require. Skills trades will remain constant and we have seen an overall decline in the number of Bermudians entering into those occupational categories,” he said.

Lovitta Foggo, a government MP who once served on the board, said the legislation is a move in the right direction, adding: “It is crucial that the minister design this board in a way to give them more laser focus on certain workforces.

“Having once served on the NTB and having had oversight of that board at a point in time, quite often those officers were burdened with more administrative stuff and were not able to focus their energies that would allow them to give the input that is always needed in enhancing persons in their trade.

“Changing this into a board that will ensure that our young people get current, more up-to-date training and apprenticeships in areas that will keep them skilled in this 21st century is key in remaining marketable in a community where we see change is constant.”