by VEJAY STEEDE
Bermuda’s hospitality industry is primed for a comeback. The construction of the St Regis Resort in St George’s, the increased visibility of local festivals and events on global social media platforms, a post-pandemic uptick in yacht arrivals, and the continued availability of very generous hospitality-related scholarships all point the same way – up!
Educating Bermudians to grow our traditionally vital hospitality industry just makes sense, and we’ve compiled a list of wonderful bursaries open to Bermudian students who are interested in a career full of helping visitors make lifelong memories. Have a look!
The ‘Rolls Royce’ Scholarships:
The Centennial Bermuda Foundation Vocational, Technical & Trade Scholarship
– provides up to $24,000 to successful applicants. Applicants can hold the scholarship for up to two years, but the support will only cover years one and two of their associate studies. Applicants must be Bermudian, have been educated in Bermuda for at least five years (but graduating from a Bermuda school is NOT a requirement), and be accepted to an approved technical, or vocational programme.
The Centennial Bermuda Foundation Vocational, Technical & Trade Scholarship will be granted annually. The purpose is to provide financial support to an individual wishing to pursue a vocation that is practical and needed in Bermuda including the trades, hospitality, mechanics, piloting (marine and aircraft), nursing, culinary arts, visual and performing arts, interior design, architecture, engineering, caregiving, landscaping and more, at an overseas institution in applied learning, for vocational, technical or trades training or service related employment. (bermudascholarships.com)
The Bermuda Hotel Association Adrian Hassell Memorial Scholarship
– awards up to $25,000 annually to Bermudian applicants who have been educated in Bermuda for at least five years, and have graduated from a Bermuda school. The financial part of the award may be split between successful applicants at the BHA’s discretion, but there is an attached internship with the Bermuda Tourism Authority that will be provided to a single applicant, based on a recommendation from the BHA Scholarship Selection Committee.
“The Bermuda Hotel Association (BHA) Adrian Hassell Memorial Scholarship is awarded annually. Its purpose is to provide financial support for one year of study for suitably qualified individual(s) pursuing full-time hospitality programmes in the junior or senior year of an accredited college/ university overseas. The Scholarship funds are to be used to contribute to the costs of tuition, room and board at the place of study; and to the cost of travel to and from the place of study.” (bermudascholarships.com)
The Overseas and Bermuda College Hospitality Scholarship
– awards up to $15,000 to a Bermudian student who has graduated from a Bermuda school, and has been educated in Bermuda for a period of time. This scholarship is exclusively provided to students who are enrolled in programmes related to hotel management, or culinary arts.
The ‘Education Essentials’ Awards:
Department Of Workforce Development (Overseas Award for Persons Going to School Off Island)
– awards up to $10,000 to a varying number of students annually. Students must be Bermudian, or hold a valid Permanent Resident’s Card (PRC), and be between the ages of 18 and 65 years old at the time of application.
This award is granted to students enrolled in many kinds of trade and vocational programmes, including hotel management, and culinary arts. The support provided by this scholarship can be held for up to four undergraduate years.
The Tomasz Tabor Bermuda Hospitality & Tourism Studies Scholarship
– awards $6,500 to two successful applicants annually. Successful applicants must be Bermudian, and have completed at least two years of schooling in Bermuda; but graduating from a Bermuda school is not a requirement. Applicants must be between 18 and 25 years old at the time of application.
“This award is given to students furthering their studies with a view to entering the hospitality and tourism field in Bermuda. The award is based on financial need and the student’s passion for the industry. The applicant’s essay should be no more than 250 words and speak to how their studies will enhance the hospitality and tourism industry in Bermuda.” (bermudascholarships.com)
The SKAL International Bermuda Scholarship
– awards an annual bursary of $5,000 to a Bermudian student who has enrolled in an accredited undergraduate programme in hotel management, or culinary arts.
“Skal International Bermuda started in 1954, and is a professional organisation of tourism leaders from around the world, promoting global tourism and friendship. It is the only organisation uniting all branches of the travel and tourism industry. This SKAL scholarship is offered to suitably qualified students enrolled in their second, third or fourth years of a two, three, or four-year degree Hospitality programme at an accredited college or university.” (bermudascholarships.com)
The Pittsburgh Technical College – Bermuda Scholarship
– the Pittsburgh Technical College provides up to 15 scholarships, worth $5,000 each, to Bermudian students annually. The scholarship is open to applicants who are between 17 and 25 years old at the time of application, and have graduated from a Bermuda school. This opportunity is available to students who are pursuing degrees in visual arts, accounting, business, finance, information technology, architecture, engineering, other health science, hotel management, and culinary arts.
The Framingham State University – Undergraduate Geographic Tuition Grant
– this is a $6,500 award that is made available to Bermudians and PRC holders annually. Framingham State University provides an unlimited number of these grants each year, and offers them to students studying many varied disciplines, including performing arts, and hotel management.
The ‘Local Favorites’:
The Department of Workforce Development (Local Award for Persons Going to School In Bermuda)
– awards up to $5,000 to “numerous” successful applicants annually. Applicants must be Bermudian, or hold a valid PRC, and be enrolled in Bermuda College, Adult Education, CARE Learning Center, or the Bermuda Insurance Institute.
The Bermuda College: Butterfield & Vallis Scholarship
– this award covers 80% of all educational costs at Bermuda College for multiple successful applicants annually. Successful applicants must be Bermudian, have graduated from a Bermuda school, and have completed at least four years of education in Bermuda.
