The general public is reminded that effective August 31st 2018, the courses offered through the Community Education Development Programme (CEDP) will be discontinued. The current offices located in Hamilton and Warwick will both close.
In June this year, the Minister of Education and Workforce Development, Diallo Rabain initially informed the public of this reorganization in a Ministerial Statement, and advised that the staff will be transferred to the Department of Workforce Development on September 1st 2018.
A spokeswoman said: “The reorganization of the community programme stems from data gathered during the undertaking of both a feasibility study and an operational review by the Government’s Management Consulting Section.
“The historical demand for the community courses offered was assessed during the past 5 years and data revealed a declining trend in enrolment of the courses provided and the majority of participants that did enroll in the programme courses were non-Bermudians.”
Minister Rabain stated: “Consequently, options were developed by MCS with the input of CEDP staff that focused on the needs of vulnerable Bermudians and that best supported the Government’s agenda. After listing and assessing benefits and challenges associated with each option, the optimal path was to transition the CEDP staff inclusive of the Summer Internship Programme to the Career Development and Training Sections in the Department of Workforce Development. The knowledge and skillsets that the CEDP staff will bring to the work programme of these Sections will directly support the vulnerable Bermudians in preparation for the workforce, as originally intended.”
The public is advised that although the offering of community education courses will be discontinued, the summer work-shadow or internship programme for high school students will continue as the responsibility of the Department of Workforce Development.
On behalf of the CEDP staff, Executive Director, Dr Patricia Chapman, extends sincere thanks to those who supported the community programme during the past years; to include all participants, instructors, council members, school personnel, business partners and community stakeholders whose commitment and support enhanced and promoted life-long learning for people of all ages in the community.
Dr Chapman also shared: “There are several organizations that the public can contact as alternative course providers. I encourage interested persons to visit the website https://www.gov.bm/community-education to find a list of these services that have been listed as a resource.”
