Minister of Home Affairs Michael Fahy announced yesterday that the Department of Workforce Development’s Career Development Section had hired management firm Expertise Limited to conduct a comprehensive review of its operations.

Senator Fahy told the Senate: “Expertise Ltd, a premier human and business resource service provider, completed this review with a multi-phased approach. Phase one sought to understand the current process and systems, phase two, to document the processes as they existed, and phase three, to create a detailed best model approach for enhanced service delivery.”

Sen Fahy gave an extensive list of what Career Development will now entail, which included:

• An orientation to services;

• Clear and distinct intake processes, to improve customer service levels and minimise wait time;

• Scheduled appointments with career development officers to improve efficiency and maximise client interaction with the department;

• Comprehensive career and skills assessment to identify personal strengths, interests, aptitude, and areas for development;

• Applicant screening, referral and access to job ready candidates;

• Employment assistance services for anticipated layoffs and redundancies;

• Facilities for on-site recruitment, interviews, training, and workshops; and

• Employment intervention and retention services.

He said that the groundwork had started last year with the release of part one of the National Training Plan, which he said: “ ... provides a vision for strengthening the workforce, and an informed national perspective on industry trends, forecasts, and strategies for ensuring continued growth and development of Bermudians.”

Sen Fahy said now the process is complete and Expertise Ltd has been training staff in the new policies and procedure during the last two months.

“The Career Development Team participated in both group and individual training sessions during this timeframe.

“The enhancements were fully implemented in April.”

Sen Fahy said: “The population of individuals utilising the Department has become increasingly diverse, across a broad section of industries and qualifications. It is important to note that career development is a lifelong process of managing and engaging in learning and work.

“It is our hope that this will provide a better service for the unemployed, underemployed and career changers. While this Government has set many projects in motion to realise job opportunities, we want to ensure sustainability and stability for all Bermudians.”

Answering questions, he told PLP Sen Renee Ming that Expertise were selected for the task after a tender process.

• For the full statement click on the PDF link under “Related Media”.