In an era where the skilled trades are slowly disappearing, a determined group of young Black men in Bermuda are working to reverse the tide. These electricians, plumbers, and mechanics are not just building homes and fixing engines—they’re building futures, especially for the next generation of young Bermudians.
With the support of MP Dennis Lister III, this group is stepping forward with a solution for one of the island’s most pressing social challenges: engaging and empowering young Black men and women. The answer, they say, lies in the trades.
“There’s always going to be a need for a plumber, a mason, an electrician, a carpenter, and a mechanic,” said one young plumber who has worked his way up from apprentice to business owner. “But when you go on the sites, you don’t see many locals. You don’t see many youth. That’s the problem.”
His motivation to act was born from experience. “Khalif Williams started at 21, I’m 28 now. My Papa was a plumber. At first, I didn’t want to do it. But I gave it a shot, and it’s working out. I’ve got my own business now—and I want to pass this knowledge on.”
The journey into the trades isn’t easy, he admits. The early stages involve what he calls “donkey work”—cutting pipes, running errands, getting bossed around. “You start off low,” he said, “but that’s the first mental test. If you can push through, you start learning. Then it becomes real—you know your tools, your fittings, your measurements. That’s when you start building value.”
He emphasized that the challenge for many young people isn’t laziness—it’s a lack of understanding and support. “You can’t just write someone off. Get to know the youth. What do they like? Maybe it’s clothes, maybe it’s cars. Talk to them. Relate to them. That’s the first step—making them feel accepted.”
Another young tradesman, a certified electrician, Toniko Tucker shared his path. “I started around 13, 14—just helping my dad during school breaks. I didn’t want to be stuck in a job I didn’t enjoy, so I got serious. I went to Bermuda College, then abroad to get my electrical engineering diploma.”
He sees his own son as part of his journey now, just as his father once kept him close to the work. “The best way to teach is hands-on. Keep them close. If a child wants to learn, bring them into the field. Let them see the opportunity.”
Both men are now committed to mentoring the next wave of tradespeople. “It starts with one, two, maybe five. But once the eyes are open, there’s no going back. You just keep growing.”
They’re also clear-eyed about what’s pulling young people away. “Some youths are gifted with their hands. But if they don’t see a future in school, they feel lost. We need to stop making them feel like failures and start guiding them to their gifts.”
Their lived experiences confirm what many community leaders already believe: the trades can be a pathway away from negative influences and toward economic independence.
“Work is the way out,” one said simply. “It’s structure. It’s purpose. It’s a future.”
MP Dennis Lister III, who has voiced strong support for these men and their mission, agrees. “This is what real leadership looks like,” he said. “Young men, rooted in their community, stepping forward to lift others up. We need more of this energy—and we need to invest in it.”
As the trades continue to decline globally, the voices from Bermuda are sounding the alarm—but also offering a solution. It starts with mentorship, hands-on training, and a willingness to see potential where others might see problems.
“There’s dignity in this work,” said the electrician. “There’s money, there’s pride, and there’s freedom. All we need now is for the next generation to believe it—and for us to help them get there.”
Stay tuned to the second part of this story where you will find out those other persons that are behind the scenes attempting to continue this initiative.
Any content which is considered unsuitable, unlawful, or offensive, includes personal details, advertises or promotes products, services or websites, or repeats previous comments will be removed.
User comments posted on this website are solely the views and opinions of the comment writer and are not a representation of or reflection of the opinions of TNN or its staff.
TNN reserves the right to remove, edit or censor any comments.
TNN accepts no liability and will not be held accountable for the comments made by users.