CARIBBEAN                               COMMUNITY                                  SECRETARIAT

TWENTY-NINTH MEETING OF THE                                                 RESTRICTED

STANDING COMMITTEE OF

CARIBBEAN STATISTICIANS                                                           SCCS/2004/29/20

Hamilton, Bermuda                                                                             

22-24 November 2004                                                                        22 November 2004

The Bermuda Department of Statistics

Presented to

The 29^th Meeting of the Standing Committee of Caribbean Statisticians (SCCS)

Hamilton, Bermuda

November 22^nd-24^th 2004.

OUR VISION

A high performance work environment characterized by a culture of learning, innovation, synergy, integrity, excellence in service and professionalism.

OUR MISSION

We are committed to collect, process, analyze and provide a body of statistical information that is timely, accurate, relevant and reliable for dissemination to the Government and the general public.

STAFFING

The Department is currently staffed with 20 persons of which 5 are in temporary positions. Six vacancies exists which includes the posts of IT Officer, two Statistical Officers I, and three clerical support officers.

OVERSEAS TRAINING

November 23^rd - December 4^th 2003 - 17^th International Conference of Labour Statisticians

 The Chief Statistician and the Business Statistician attended this conference at the International Labour Office in Geneva, Switzerland.

December 5^th 2004 - UK Office of National Statistics

One officer engaged in a courtesy call to the office. Short presentations were given on methodologies used to conduct a Household Income and Expenditure Survey, a Labour Force Survey and Pricing Procedures in the Retail Price Index. 

August 9^th - 13^th, 2004 - Bureau of Labour Statistics

One Officer attended a one-week work study to refine and sharpen technical skills in constructing consumer price indices.

LOCAL & IN-HOUSE TRAINING

·        Project Management - 19 officers

·        Writing for the Media - 13 officers

·        The Role of the First Line Manager - 1 officer

·        SNAP Software Training - 4 officers

·        Rural-Urban Projections - 3 officers

·        Compilation of Consumer Price Index - 2 officers

·        Compilation of Retail Sales Index - 2 officers

REGULAR WORK PROGRAMME

The regular work programme continues to consist of conducting the on-going surveys for data collection, compilation and dissemination. These include:

·        Monthly Survey of Retail Sales

·        Monthly Survey of Consumer Prices

·        Monthly Survey of Overseas Spending by Residents

·        Quarterly Survey of Construction Activity

·        Quarterly Survey of Hotel Gross Receipts

·        Annual Employment Survey

·        Annual Economic Activity Survey

·        Quarterly Hotel Employment Survey

CONSULTANCY SERVICES PROVIDED

·        Department of Legal Aid - developed a database to capture client information from administrative forms using Microsoft Access and create an analysis.

·        National Office for Seniors & the Physically Challenged - processed and analyzed data which had been collected from the transportation survey for mobility impaired persons. Produced tabulations and summary analysis. Used SPSS, Version 11.5.

Highlights of Social Statistics Work Programme

During the past year, the Social and Demographic section continued to experience work programme challenges. The Social Statistician was on leave for an extended period of time, one officer was granted study leave for three months and a trainee statistician was transferred into another section. Despite this, the work progressed steadily.

PROJECTS: NOVEMBER 2003 - OCTOBER 2004

• Produced a census monograph entitled 'Bermuda's Social Dynamics'.

Analyses of topics include: "Who's Minding Bermuda's Children?"; "Academic Standing: Are You Qualified for Bermuda's Fastest Growing Occupations?" "Is International Business Driving Bermuda's Workforce?" The publication also shows a time series of selected social and demographic indicators.

• Developed a fact sheet entitled 'Bermuda Roots'.

This fact sheet coincided with Bermuda's Heritage month. It highlights the demographic changes that have occurred in Bermuda from 1950 to 2000.

• Computerized and updated the annual publication 'Bermuda Digest of Statistics' to include highlights of sections and graphical presentations.

Highlights of Business Statistics Work Programme

PROJECTS: NOVEMBER 2003 - OCTOBER 2004

• In April 2004, the Department's Website was launched in conjunction with the Government's Internet Portal. The web address www.statistics.gov.bm offers access to many of the Department's major statistical outputs.  
• Collaborated with the Commission for Unity and Racial Equality to merge the Annual Review of the Workforce Survey with the Department's Employment Survey. Held a series of informational meetings for major employer groups in June and July to convey an understanding of the process for completing the annual employment survey. In September 2004, eight lunch and learn sessions were held for respondents. These sessions provided information on how to correctly complete the employment survey forms.
• Published the 2004 Facts & Figures pamphlet - an annual publication which shows a three-year series of social and economic indicators. It also provides a brief account of historical significant events influencing the development of Bermuda.
• Production of the semi-annual publication 'The Bermuda Job Market: Employment Briefs'. This report highlights the main findings of the annual employment survey.
• Produced a census monograph entitled 'Labour Force Trends'.

The report examines some of the current employment issues that affect the labour force in Bermuda. Analyses focused on such topics as workforce ageing, foreign workers, youth employment and the baby boom generation.

Highlights of Economic Statistics Work Programme

The National Accounts and Economic Statistics section was without a Statistician to oversee the work programme from January 2003 to November 5^th 2004. Two new team members were hired in May 2004, and in August 2004, an experienced technical officer transferred to the Ministry of Finance, Budget Office. Despite this, the key statistical outputs remained on target.  

PROJECTS: NOVEMBER 2003 - OCTOBER 2004

• Produced and published preliminary and final estimates of Gross Domestic Product.
• Produced and published the Quarterly Bulletin of Statistics
• Prepared, monthly press release for Retail Sales Index
• Prepared monthly press release for Consumer Price Index

2004 ECONOMIC ACTIVITY SURVEY

• A sample of 1,500 businesses selected.
• Survey launched in May 2004.
• Deadline for receipt of questionnaires - end Jult 2004.
• Over 1,400 follow-up calls made to businesses.
• A total of 695 questionnaires received by June 2004.
• Response rate at October 2004 - 74.5%, 1,117 questionnaire returns.

Highlights of Research Statistics Work Programme

PROJECTS: NOVEMBER 2003 - OCTOBER 2004

2003 ADULT LITERACY & LIFE-SKILLS SURVEY

• A response rate of 82% was achieved.
• Data was tested by ETS and Statistics Canada, May - September 2004.
• International comparative report and literacy level ranking will be released in May 2005.
• National report to be released by September 2005.

2004 HOUSEHOLD iNCOME AND EXPENDITURE SURVEY

• Survey was launched in May 2004.
• A sample of 1,200 households was surveyed.
• Conducted a pilot study of 50 households using PDA's.
• Preliminary overall response rate of 62%.

ADMINISTRATION

• New Appointments: Economic Statistician, 2 Technical Support Officers, 2 Statistical Officers Level II.
• Graduates: Two Officers obtained a Bachelor's Degree in Business Administration and Economics.

2004/05 OUTSTANDING PROJECTS

• Census Monograph on the population 65 years and older.
• Development of work programme for research and intercensal unit.
• Production of Population Projections up to 2010.
• Analytical Report - Results of the 2004 Household Expenditure Survey.
• Development of new benchmark figures for personal household final

consumption for GDP.

• Re-weighting of Consumer Price Index and up-date of Base Year.
• Development of Environmental statistics work programme