When four men who received overseas training with the help of the National Training Board had trouble finding work when they returned to the Island, they didn?t give up ? they started their own company.

David Cunningham, Ken Butterfield, Tyrone Butterfield and Ralph Robinson all received degrees or qualifications from overseas institutions with financial support from the NTB.

But when they returned to the Island, they were surprised to find they had great difficulty finding a job and did not get the help they expected from the board, which was set up to improve technical training of Bermudians in a wide variety of trades.

So the four, led by Mr. Cunningham, formed KemKor Technologies, which aims to be a one-stop shop for technical needs.

It consists entirely of NTB graduates, who provide an array of technical services to the home, small business and corporate sectors.

?I noticed a lot of NTB graduates were having problems with job placement,? said chief executive officer and information technology consultant, David Cunningham when he was asked what inspired the business.

he and the other three men said technical jobs were either ?not there? or they were going to non-Bermudians.

All thought they would receive more help from the NTB with their job hunts, but this did not happen. The four motivated men said that they felt the NTB failed at ?follow-up?. They explained how the NTB funded their education abroad but when they returned they did not help them find a job like they said they were going to do.

?The NTB is not a complete system,? they all agreed. They take people away, train them, but don?t set them up with a job or direction when they get back, they said.

But NTB executive officer Michael Stowe said the board does not guarantee that they will be able to place graduates into jobs but they do tell graduates that they will help them.

Of the KemKor team?s comments, Mr. Stowe said: ?I understand but cannot do anything about it. I encourage them to have patience.?

Mr. Stowe said some NTB graduates? training gives them a qualification, but not the certification required by employers.

?We are currently working with students to obtain their certification while in school, which will enable them to get jobs faster,? he said.

The NTB is presently financially assisting two people to get their certification at local company Media Tech. He said students do not usually think to get their certifications in technical fields but are focused on just getting the institution?s qualification.

However, the industry puts heavy emphasis on certification, he said. Of his new company, Mr. Cunningham said: ?We hope to be a transition base for NTB graduates ? like a stepping stone to help the new graduates gain work experience.?

Another goal of KemKor Tech is to become a renowned IT company, he added. The KemKor team consists of chief telecommunications specialist Ken Butterfield, security systems specialist Tyrone Butterfield, information technology consultant Ralph Robinson and Mr. Cunningham.

The company offers services including: cable networking, PC repair and support, IT support, IT consultation, two-way radio repair, support and installation, GPS system installation and support, and finally, alarm system installation and support. KemKor is also an authorised dealer of WOW-TV.

President of the Leopard?s Club and chairman of the club?s educational committee, Denny Richardson met with the young men last week at the Leopard?s Club to discuss their situation and give them support.

He said he will act as a resource for the men and help them with their new company.