Eighteen graduates from the Bermuda Small Business Development Corporation's (BSBDC) last Small Business Construction Incubator (SBCI) class were honoured at a ceremony held at the Fairmont Hamilton Princess.

Finance Minister Paula Cox, former Premier Alex Scott and BSBDC board member Patrice Minors were on hand to congratulate the graduates at the four-hour event.

Lucrecia Ming, assistant general manager of BSBDC and SBCI programme co-ordinator welcomed the graduates and their families and gave an overview of the programme. She explained that Mr. Scott suggested the need for this type of programme and with the support of the Ministry of Finance, the BSBDC was able to bring it to fruition.

Mr. Scott then spoke to the participants about his vision for a programme to help level the playing field in the construction industry. He reminded the graduates that it was always necessary to be prepared in order to win some of the construction bids that usually go to the larger companies.

Crystal Richardson and Derek Raynor were among the graduates of the 2010 SBCI Class. They both delivered moving speeches about the course and the impact it had on them. Ms Richardson, the only female graduate, said that the most influential part of the course was the passion that the facilitators and her fellow classmates had for their industry, helping to reignite her own desire to be in the construction sector. Ms Richardson helps to manage AJW Construction, owned by Andre Famous Sr. and Jr., also SBCI graduates.

Mr. Raynor said the course was very informative in all aspects of running a construction business and it hit a number of areas concerning safety, marketing, finances, administration, customer service and project supervision. "They helped our business's become players in our construction field," he said.

Both presenters recognised the value of learning better business practices and Mr. Raynor indicated that he has already started using what he learned in the course in his day-to-day activities as owner of his project management company, 4-D Management. He said that one of the results of the course was helping to increase the participants "self-esteem".

Minister Cox then handed out the certificates and congratulated each graduate for their successful completion of the programme. The graduates enjoyed a plated dinner with their families as they watched a slide show presentation of photos of them on their various job sites prepared by GinO Productions.

The BSBDC's general manager, Michelle Khaldun, wrapped up proceedings by thanking the participants, facilitators and the dignitaries for their support over the past three years. She indicated that although the SBCI was coming to a close, the second phase, the Hands Up programme would serve as a continuation of the support that the BSBDC provides. Hands Up will work with the 80-plus graduates of the programme and continue to assist them as they work towards building a more inclusive construction industry in Bermuda.

For more information on the SBCI and Hands Up contact Lucrecia Ming at lming@bsbdc.bm or visit www.bsbdc.bm