The Bermuda College is preparing to launch a new programme aimed at giving Bermudians the opportunity to work in restaurants.

Romeo Ruddock, programme co-ordinator at the Bermuda College’s Division of Professional and Career Education, said the Certified Restaurant Server initiative is intended to give interested Bermudians all the skills they need to work as a server, including hands-on experience.

“This came about because the college and the industry came together looking at ways we could address a need,” he said.

“It is designed for Bermudians that are interested in getting into the food and beverage industry, those that have that server attitude.

“It is set up so we teach you all the basic skills and then some, so anyone who goes through this programme would be able to go from casual dining to five star.”

In addition to technical skills, the programme will help participants develop their “soft skills” through both theory and practical components.

“To add to that, the students will be assigned to a different restaurant to do an internship component,” he added. “It lasts eight to ten weeks, and that is inclusive of the 20-hour internship.

“On top of that, the partnership we have with the Bermuda Hospitality Institute, each server once they finish this programme will also come out as certified tourism ambassadors.

“We have people in our community that are not working, and if they do have that server attitude and they want to gain that experience, this is a great opportunity for them.”

Chris Garland, head of the restaurant division of the Chamber of Commerce, said the internship element of the programme is valuable as it gives participants a first-hand look at the industry and tests their skills in a real-world setting.

He also stressed the importance of the programme giving servers a degree of official accreditation, saying: “It makes people feel like they have ownership of something.

“The other point is with Bermuda’s renaissance in the hospitality and service industry, we have to give opportunities to Bermudians to be able to build careers,” he said.

“As a Bermudian, I travel a lot. I go to other jurisdictions and I don’t see work permit holders in these positions. I see locals.

“I’m not saying necessarily that we can get 100 per cent, but if we can do this over a long period we could change the face of the front line. And the long-term effect of having more Bermudians in the industry has to be a positive.

“Of course, we can only lead them to opportunities. At the end of the day the onus is on the person if they want to get into the industry.

“They have got to want to do it.”

Asked why Bermudians might want to become involved in the hospitality industry, he said: “It’s very gratifying, the feeling of making somebody’s moment, giving them a reason to remember Bermuda.”

Mr Ruddock said the college is planning to offer the programme in five separate cohorts, the first beginning on January 9, and that in advance of the courses a series of information sessions are being held at the Department of Workforce Development.

•Contact the Pace Office at padmin@college.bm, or the recruitment officer, Thaao Dill, at tdill@college.bm for further details.