Bermudians looking for career opportunities might want to consider household appliance repair thanks to a diploma programme being introduced by Bermuda College in partnership with Bermuda Gas.

The course is designed to equip students with entry-level certification and paves the way for them to continue their education through an Associate’s degree or similar qualification.

The 14-week diploma, due to begin in March, will run over three semesters — two of those cover theory and practical learning at the college, while the third is practical-based and includes some study with expert technicians at the Bermuda Gas facility.

Cannoth Roberts, lecturer in applied sciences at Bermuda College, chose the curriculum and worked with continuing education division PACE (Professional and Career Education) to determine its make-up.

The college already runs a HVAC (heating, ventilation, air conditioning and refrigeration) course, which is geared towards commercial and industrial air conditioning. The new Major Appliance Repair and Installation Diploma is geared towards the domestic market.

Mr Roberts said: “The diploma will get the students through the first stages to entry level. They can then go to a company and represent themselves as having some knowledge and it gives them an advantage. The first and second semesters are theory and practical learning through the college. The third semester covers gas appliances, stoves, water heaters, anything related to gas.

“Some of the learning will be done at the college but Bermuda Gas has experts in that area, so students can work with them at the company.

“We are really grateful to have Bermuda Gas as an ally as they really helped to push this along and get it motivated.”

The diploma course, which will run from 6pm to 9pm two nights a week, offers two levels — basic and refresher. While it is actively encouraged through the middle schools, it is open to all ages.

David DeSilva, sales manager at Bermuda Gas, said that one of the reasons he was so keen to partner with the college was to put in place a succession plan at the company as many employees were reaching retirement age.

“We wanted to make sure that when our guys retire we have individuals that can step in and keep the ship going in the right direction,” he said. “We have talked about it for many years and with the help of Bermuda College we have something concrete in place. The other element is we have people who may be just coming out of school and may be excited about doing something technical but need some true training and a qualification.

“Bermuda Gas has a history of being a pro-Bermudian workplace and this initiative demonstrates that commitment at a higher level. No experience is needed — they just have to have a positive, can-do attitude and good employability skills. They need to be responsible and reliable.”

Asked whether there were many opportunities for this kind of work in Bermuda, Mr Roberts said: “There is plenty of work in Bermuda. In the appliance industry, employers have had to take on overseas staff as they don’t have local technicians. They would rather have local than overseas.”

Asked whether there would be opportunities at Bermuda Gas for certificate holders, Mr DeSilva said: “No one really knows what the future holds but the bottom line is, in the event that there are some who show real potential, there is the opportunity for me to take the cream of the crop.

“We can’t guarantee that if someone goes through the course we will take them on. We’re working with the college to encourage people to get out there and see what it is about. There may be opportunities with other organisations or a student might even demonstrate the entrepreneurship to start up their own service.”

Anyone interested in taking the diploma is invited to attend an information session being held tomorrow at 6pm at the Bermuda Gas showrooms on Serpentine Road, Pembroke. The recruitment officer can be contacted by calling 239-4099.