In November 2024, Bermuda’s Labour Force Survey reported that 3.4 per cent of Bermudians aged 16-24 were unemployed. While that percentage may seem modest, it represents young people who are eager to work and contribute, yet face real barriers — limited access to training, certifications, work experience and clearly defined career pathways.

The Youth Employment Strategy 2022 outlines these challenges: resource gaps, insufficient work experience, career uncertainty and a disconnect between education and labour-market needs. For some young people, that disconnect feels personal — like standing on the edge of opportunity without a clear way in. At Endeavour, we see both the urgency and opportunity to bridge that gap.

From classroom to career

Endeavour was established with a clear purpose: to build confidence and life skills by engaging diverse youth from across Bermuda in hands-on, experiential learning through sailing.

Bermuda’s ocean is both our classroom and a gateway to meaningful careers. On the water, young people learn quickly that responsibility, teamwork and problem-solving are not theoretical concepts — they are practical skills that matter.

Through our Maritime Career Springboard Programme, Bermudian youth aged 16 and older gain practical training, earn industry-recognised certifications, develop technical skills and explore maritime professions first-hand. From marine mechanics and charter operations to maritime hospitality and ocean conservation, participants discover viable career pathways that are locally relevant and globally transferable.

The impact is measurable. Participants report feeling more prepared for a maritime career, with improved skills, recognised qualifications and a greater awareness of options and future career pathways.

When young Bermudians are provided with equitable access, structure and support, they succeed.

Starting early

Workforce readiness does not begin when a young person submits their first job application. It begins with exposure, encouragement and confidence.

Our five-day Steam Education through Sailing Programme serves every public, private and home-schooled student aged 11 to 12, combining science, technology, engineering, arts and mathematics with practical sailing experience. Since 2015, we have delivered more than 24,000 hours of hands-on instruction to more than 6,000 students across 31 schools.

Students can continue progressing through our graduate and assistant instructor programmes, which provide clear retention pathways. Youth aged 12 to 14 build on their technical and personal development, while those aged 15 to 17 gain leadership experience, coaching skills and community service opportunities.

The impact is consistent: all assistant instructor participants report stronger communication, teamwork and problem-solving abilities. These are often labelled "soft skills", but in today's workforce, they are essential competencies and highly valued by employers.

Inclusion as opportunity

Addressing youth unemployment requires expanding access to opportunities.

Since 2015, Endeavour has engaged more than 8,500 youth aged 5 to 35. This reach reflects our core belief that young people of all backgrounds and abilities should have access to meaningful learning experiences.

Our No Limits Sailing Programme provides inclusive, experiential learning for public school students aged 5-18 on the autism spectrum. Teachers report improved communication skills, increased confidence and greater engagement among participating students.

When access widens, so does opportunity.

Why this matters for Bermuda’s future

Youth workforce development is not simply a social initiative; it is a long-term economic investment.

When young people build job-readiness skills and earn recognised certifications, they are more likely to secure meaningful employment and see a future for themselves here at home. Defined pathways encourage continued education. Exposure to real-world careers builds clarity. These shifts, taken together, strengthen economic mobility and community resilience.

For Bermuda, the long-term benefit is significant: a more competitive workforce, stronger alignment with industry needs and a generation of capable young adults prepared to contribute to our island’s prosperity.

A collective responsibility

No single organisation can solve youth unemployment alone. Meaningful progress requires collaboration among industry leaders, government, educators, non-profits and families.

We need employers willing to offer mentorship and apprenticeship opportunities. We need continued investment in certifications and market-relevant skills training. Experiential learning — learning by doing — must remain part of how we prepare young people for the workforce.

Bermuda is rich in opportunity. Ensuring equitable access to that opportunity is essential.

At Endeavour, we believe every young Bermudian should have the opportunity to discover their strengths, build self-belief and chart a course towards a meaningful career. When we invest in their growth and development, we do more than transform individual lives; we strengthen Bermuda's social and economic resilience.

Youth unemployment will not resolve itself. Progress will come because we make a deliberate, sustained commitment to building clear pathways from education to employment. Building clear pathways from education to employment is not a short-term initiative — it is a continuing commitment. And it begins with the choices we make today.

• Jennifer Pitcher is the executive director of Endeavour. This op-ed is part of the Third Sector Spotlight Series, a collective campaign co-ordinated by the Non-Profit Alliance of Bermuda. The campaign aims to raise awareness of the value, impact and contributions of Bermuda’s non-profit sector