Wilson: Jobs at hospital will go to Bermudians

Senator Kim Wilson, minister for the Economy, Trade and Industry, has requested a work schedule for the multi-million dollar project and details of what skills will be required to complete it. She said the project, which breaks ground later this month, will not be completed until 2014 and Bermudians must be ready to take advantage of the job opportunities it creates.

She added: “We want to ensure Bermudians are well positioned to be afforded the chance to work on the construction of the hospital.

“We will have a list of what the needs will be with respect to the labour force so that Bermudians can hone in on those skills and the partnership [the consortium overseeing the project] is not coming to us looking for work permits for x, y and z down the line.”

Ms Wilson said businesses would be kept appraised of the skills likely to be required so they can assist employees in upgrading their training.

Funding

She accepted that some foreign labour will be necessary but Government is to do everything it can to ensure qualified Bermudians get opportunities first.

Ms Wilson said $250,000 in funding has been set aside to provide smaller contracts not connected with the hospital to graduates of the Bermuda Small Business Development Corporation’s Construction Incubator Programme.

She added that she will host a quarterly round-table with business leaders to help build a coordinated approach towards labour issues.

Ms Wilson said: “There isn’t a day that goes by where the plight of our unemployed Bermudians is not foremost on my mind.

“The economic and labour force challenges are affecting each and every one of us.

“Many believe that as a Government Minister, I am unable to relate to this situation. Not true. Not only have I been affected in my own immediate family, I have relatives and friends who are also affected.

“It does weigh heavily on my mind to know people are struggling to make ends meet and that many families in Bermuda are just one pay cheque from losing everything they have worked hard for.

“But I want to assure the people of this country that we are doing all that we can to address the challenges that we are facing.”