A youth employment charity made a call for donations to launch a 13-week construction work internship programme.

SkillCraft Bermuda hopes to collect $50,000 to kick start a course it designed with Urban Construction Services.

A spokeswoman for the charity said that the aim of the internship was to rebuild Bermuda’s trade sector with fresh talent.

She explained: “Bermuda faces an evolving challenge as a significant portion of its skilled trades workforce nears retirement, academic skills have been prioritised over vocational skills and foreign labour is being used to fill crucial roles and plug the gap.

“While there is abundant work available and a clear need for Bermudian talent, many young people do not see clear pathways to enter these valuable fields and benefit from hands-on learning opportunities.”

SkillCraft Bermuda will select five people aged between 18 and 24 to take part in the Construction Internship Programme.

Interns will get hands-on experience at active building sites while taking an introductory course on basic construction skills with the National Centre for Construction Education and Research.

Margot Shane, the executive director of SkillCraft, said interns will receive one-on-one coaching to assist with soft skills such as reliability, initiative and communication.

She added: “Our goal is to provide a structured, supportive, paid experience that enables young people to explore trades careers in a hands-on way while gaining internationally recognised certifications and skills that will serve them even if they choose not to remain in the trades.”

Allanette Hayward, of the NCCER, and Urban Construction Services will oversee the training portion of the internship.

Ms Hayward said: “I am excited to collaborate with SkillCraft Bermuda in providing young people with a unique trades internship programme with industry-recognised credentials, real work experience, a supportive environment and paid placement in trades.

“We believe in consistency, bridging the gap and developing creative thinkers.

“This model has enabled us to successfully put 77 people through the Basic Safety Certificate and 13 through the NCCER Core Curriculum with 12 securing jobs as a result.”

Individuals, businesses and philanthropic organisations were encouraged to help the charity meet its $50,000 goal.

• For more information, contact SkillCraft by e-mailing info@skillcraft.bm or by calling 703-9100