A national workforce study has found that while Cayman’s labour market challenges are widespread, the needs and obstacles facing key sectors differ significantly. The University College of the Cayman Islands-led initiative convened five industry roundtables in late 2024 to explore practical strategies for closing skills gaps.
“The Future Workforce of Cayman” study brought business leaders and educators together to identify sector-specific skills gaps so that we could start to co-design practical training solutions to plug future skills gaps and give Caymanians the skills they need for future careers,” explained Tamsin Deasey, director of marketing and admissions at UCCI.
The roundtable discussions focused on financial services, technology, construction, tourism and sustainability. Each industry reported a mismatch between the qualifications of local jobseekers and the skills required for current and future roles. However, the nature of these mismatches varied across sectors, underscoring the need for tailored solutions.
Financial services: Entry-level barriers and certification gaps
Participants from the financial services industry highlighted the lack of entry-level positions and limited government support for training programmes. The report noted that government policies restricting work permits for trainee positions have disincentivised firms from investing in Caymanian graduates. Organisations such as the Financial Services Institute were mentioned as needing more support, especially for entry-level training for Caymanians. Attendees called for a shift towards internationally recognised certifications and proposed mandatory on-island roles in compliance and anti-money laundering for Cayman funds
Technology: Infrastructure and retention concerns
The technology sector described Cayman as trailing behind global standards, with insufficient investment in digital infrastructure and a lack of strategic direction. Limited opportunities and outdated training have led many skilled Caymanians to seek employment overseas. Industry leaders identified early education in IT, improvements in broadband and cybersecurity infrastructure, and stronger public-private collaboration as essential to reversing these trends.
“We also uncovered an urgent need for digital upskilling from basic digital literacy upwards, especially in IT, financial services, and tourism, where AI, automation and data literacy are transforming job roles,” Deasey said.
Construction: Generational training void and regulatory hurdles
The construction industry reported a high demand for tradespeople, including electricians and plumbers, but a significant shortage of qualified local workers. A decades-long lack of vocational training was cited as a core issue. While newer initiatives at institutions like UCCI and Inspire Cayman are helping, participants called for government-backed apprenticeships, regulatory reforms, and marketing of trade careers to young people
Tourism: Persistent stigma and structural limitations
In the tourism sector, participants pointed to the enduring perception that hospitality work is low-status, which has limited local engagement. Public transport was identified as a practical barrier, particularly for night and weekend shifts, and the report highlighted that existing training programmes remain too small in scale. Proposals included moving hospitality training closer to hotel hubs and using international talent on island to mentor Caymanian students.
Sustainability: Untapped potential amid regulatory constraints
The sustainability roundtable suggested that Cayman could become a regional leader in renewable energy, but that it currently lacks the workforce to meet its 2045 energy transition goals. With only about 30 people working in the industry, participants said thousands of jobs could be created if regulatory barriers were removed and training programmes scaled up. Technical training in areas like solar panel installation was viewed as relatively quick to implement compared to traditional degree programmes
“We saw that young Caymanians need clearer pathways into high-demand careers, including more apprenticeships, micro-credentials, and on-the-job learning,” Deasey said
Across all sectors, the report found consensus on the need for stronger coordination between government, educators and industry; improved public transportation; and early exposure to both technical and soft skills. However, the findings also stress that each sector requires its own strategy, informed by sector-specific data and driven by partnerships with industry stakeholders
