With three new hotels opening by 2021, experts predict Bermuda will need more people working in the food and beverage industry. To fill the gap hospitality industry partners have come together to form a new initiative to attract more job seekers to this area.An immersive three-part training programme kicks off in January, funded by independent restaurant operators, the Department of Workforce Development, Bermuda College, and the Tomasz Tabor Memorial Fund, with administrative and promotional support by the Bermuda Tourism Authority.Under the scheme, participants will undertake a structured skills-development course, followed by paid on-the-job training opportunity. Twelve participants will be selected for the pilot programme, followed by another full cohort four weeks later. Participating restaurant groups include Harbourside Holdings, Island Restaurant Group, Take Five and Yellow Fin.The initiative grew from a programme launched earlier this year by Take Five in partnership with Workforce Development, offering Bermudians interested in entering the hospitality industry the chance to gain hands-on experience, along with international and entry-level certification.“We felt this provided a successful model to build on, and we’re pleased to work in collaboration with restaurant partners to ensure its growth and sustainability,” Take Five managing director Holger Eiselt said. “We appreciate all who have provided the necessary support, including the Bermuda Government, the BTA, and the Tomasz Tabor Memorial Fund.”Zane DeSilva, the Minister of Tourism and Transport was excited about the collaborative effort to bring more people to this sector of the service industry. “This innovative initiative will help empower Bermudian jobseekers to successfully prepare for and land jobs in a dynamic, sustainable field,” he said. Mr Tabor was a well-known chef for Elbow Beach and Island Restaurant Group who was killed in a motorcycle accident in 2014. A memorial golf tournament launched in his name raised more than $100,000 for junior chef courses, hospitality scholarships for Bermudian students, and the Bermuda College waiter/server programme. Its funds will now support the new initiative.“We believe this project has the potential to educate, train and place many Bermudians in the hospitality sector and set them up for success,” Yellowfin general manager Karl Massam said. “It will not only benefit our restaurants and hotels, but also our tourism product overall, and, by extension, our whole community. I know Tomasz would be very proud.”Following American Hotel & Lodging Educational Institute certification at Bermuda College and industry-specific skills training for certification as baristas, food handlers, and wine servers, among other industry designations, programme participants will take part in an eight-week paid internship, with a fortnight spent working at each participating restaurant group.“The programme provides all-important on-the-job training, allowing participants to ‘learn while they earn’,” said Lovitta Foggo, Minister of Labour, Community Affairs and Sport. “We’re inviting Bermudians going through career transitions, those without current employment, and high-school students who may be looking at future career options, to consider this opportunity.”Harbourside Holdings general manager Chris Garland was excited to partner with Workforce Development, the Bermuda College, and industry partners.“We believe it will give Bermudians the tools and training they need to be successful in the hospitality industry,” Mr Garland said.The project is part of an overall plan being developed in collaboration with the Bermuda Government and industry stakeholders to attract jobseekers into the tourism industry generally. Individuals who register with Workforce Development will be alerted about job openings, specific training, and learning and development opportunities if they need to refresh or learn new skills.A recent PwC Bermuda study indicated the island’s need for hospitality workers will increase as new hotels such as the St Regis Bermuda Resort in St George’s, Azura Bermuda and Bermudiana Beach Resort, in Warwick open by 2021. The Bermuda Hospitality Needs Assessment Study found most hospitality jobs needed would be in the areas of housekeeping and food and beverage.“As an industry, we decided to capitalise on this outlook and proactively help ensure Bermudians could take advantage of the gap between demand and supply — particularly in the food & beverage arena,” said Philip Barnett, director and president of Island Restaurant Group, and a BTA director. “Bermuda’s restaurants need Bermudian workers, so we’re proud to be part of a project to build frontline capacity in the short- and long-term.”BTA chief operating officer Karla Lacey was also delighted at the partnership between the government, Bermuda College and industry stakeholders to share cost, engage the local community, and make this integrated approach possible.Bermudians interested in employment in the food and beverage industry are invited to complete an online registration allowing them to attend an information session on December 9.• To complete the employment registration, go to www.surveymonkey.com/r/HBHBQTQ. For more information contact the Workforce Development at 297-7714 or 297-7716