A reimagined Public Service will be presented to jobseekers next week after the difficulties of filling civil servant posts were laid bare at the launch of an international summit today.

Representatives from British Overseas Territories highlighted how ageing populations, outward migration and competition from the private sector created recruitment challenges for governments — while, in Bermuda, impending retirements pose an additional dilemma.

Cherie Whitter, the Head of the Public Service in Bermuda, said that a career expo at Pier Six next Thursday will showcase how the Civil Service has evolved to become a more attractive option as young people embark on their professional lives, while others consider a change in their employment.

Speaking at the summit, which also included representatives from the Turks & Caicos, Montserrat, the British Virgin Islands, Anguilla and the Cayman Islands, Ms Whitter outlined the problems.

She told attendees at the Bermuda Underwater Exploration Institute: “Everybody is facing the exact same challenges.

“The reality is we are challenged in many areas, including having the ability to go out, target and bring in new talent into the service.”

Ms Whitter added: “What you’ve already heard from our colleagues is the Bermuda story. We have challenges as it relates to engineers, accountants and financial professionals, compliance professionals, lawyers — specifically, legislative drafters — teachers and public health nurses.

“We also have challenges from a uniformed officers’ perspective — police officers and corrections officers.

“We have heard the story, it’s all very similar. We are challenged not just here in Bermuda, but across the territories.

“We’ve taken the opportunity to collaborate and work together.”

Explaining the extent of the problem, Ms Whitter highlighted that almost 20 per cent of the government workforce will be eligible for retirement next spring.

She also noted that this year the Public Service had to retain a non-Bermudian mechanic and last year hired non-Bermudian lifeguards.

Ms Whitter said: “Why are we challenged? Because, for decades the birthrate has decreased. Not only is there declining birthrate and outward migration, there’s an ageing population.

“You will all know that when we did our recent review of those eligible to retire, we found that of those 4,400 employees that we currently have, close to 1,000 of those will be eligible for retirement in March 2027.

“Add to that the 200 to 300 public officers who are on contracts for three to five years, you’re probably pushing that up over 1,200.”

Representatives described how different territories tackled the issue.

Ms Whitter said: “We are challenged in terms of finding talent. So, what have we done [in Bermuda]? And what are we doing?

“We, like our colleagues across the territories, recognise that compensation is a driver. It’s not the only thing that we’re doing, but it is a driver.

“We’ve modernised our grade structure, to increase salaries and promotion opportunities with a nine-step scale.

“We know that in Bermuda being a public servant did not have a good reputation. We have taken the time to grow up our excellence awards programme.

“We want people to be proud of working in the service.

“It gives us the opportunity to restore pride for those working in the service and also to tell our story to the general public.”

An ambassador programme has been created to build awareness, while funding has been made available to support scholarships, apprenticeships and further training.

The career fair next week at Pier Six will have 80 booths representing ministers and departments across the Government.

Ms Whitter said: “On June 18, we will reintroduce the Public Service and how the community reimagines careers in the Public Service.

“We are talking to students, high-school and university, and we are also talking to career-changers. We need to tell our story, tell people about the positions that exist and be very intentional about the way we tell those stories.

“You’ve heard from our colleagues, we’ve got work to do.

“We are struggling as it relates to finding talent, preparing talent and bringing talent into the service.”

After the opening ceremony, discussions continued throughout the afternoon. The summit concludes tomorrow.