Inter-Island Communications News Brief – August 13, 2020

The National Apprenticeship Training Scheme has been expanded to help grow professional opportunities and outcomes for young Bermudians with nearly one hundred apprentices being connected with twenty companies islandwide. This from the Ministry of Labour’s Department of Workforce Development who announced the expansion of the program, saying that the investments made into the program have meant that quote “the DWD has successfully engaged with industry partners and incentivised employers and businesses to hire more full-time Bermudians in apprentice schemes. Now more than ever, Bermudians can receive formal apprenticeship training to become qualified in existing and new occupations. Currently, the DWD sponsors ninety-five apprentices engaged with twenty businesses. In the coming months, the government aims to expand the apprenticeship training programme to accommodate additional businesses. The ultimate goal is to train individuals in occupations identified as needed in Bermuda to help Bermudians secure employment and grow the island’s economy.”

BELCO’s plant emissions are in keeping with local regulations and global best practice. This from BELCO. Specifically, BELCO’s President Dennis Pimentel who released a statement declaring the power company’s commitment to public health and safety, while saying that it’s in compliance with the Clean Air Act and meets the highest international standard for environmental management. Mr. Pimentel went on to say that an isolated soot dispersal event occurred at the end of June which has been addressed without any further recurrence. Also, Mr. Pimentel shared that quote “The company is aware of complaints concerning the stack emissions and we are fully engaged with the impacted customers on a one on one basis. As a further positive step, the company had already planned to decommission eight engines and associated exhaust stacks in October of this year. The North Power Station will be the last fossil fuel power plant ever built in Bermuda and will ensure a reliable source of electricity while the island transitions to a renewable energy future. If a property owner believes they have been affected by emissions from the plant they can email BELCO’s OHSE office at ohse@belco.bm or call 299 2802. The team will also be reaching out to the community and neighbouring residents to invite them to visit the plant and to continue conversations addressing their concerns.”

The Bank of Bermuda Foundation has provided a quarter-million dollars to the Bermuda Non-Profit Stabilisation Fund to help local charities survive the economic impact of COVID-19. According to a Foundation spokesperson quote “The Fund, which was announced last week and administered by Bermuda Community Foundation will assist registered nonprofits in delivering a myriad of services and programmes dedicated to bolstering the quality of life in Bermuda. These services and programmes range from healthcare services, senior support, services to specific at-risk or marginalised populations, arts and cultural programmes, environmental conservation, sports programmes, education enrichment and youth development programmes, to name just a few. The Fund will enable nonprofit organisations to remain open, staffed and health department compliant, allowing them to focus on the necessary shifts in their programme decisions and strategies.” Foundation Chairman Tom Conyers encouraged other donors to join them in making a similar commitment to the local charitable sector, saying quote “We see the Fund as easing the burden for nonprofits, enabling them to quickly secure [the] necessary funding, while at the same time allowing donors to support the sector more holistically.”

The Bermuda Police Service has made it a little easier for the community to submit an official complaint against a police officer via their online form. According to a police spokesperson quote “The public is reminded, should they wish to file a complaint against a member of the Bermuda Police Service, they should do so by completing the online complaint form available at the Police Complaints Authority website: pca.bm. The forms are also available via the Bermuda Police Service Community Reporting Portal. Lastly, provided physical distancing and COVID regulations and BPS guidelines are adhered to, complaints can resume being taken at any station by a Sergeant or above.”