Job-hungry Bermudians received fresh hope yesterday after Government unveiled a battery of training measures.

Labour Minister the Hon. Irving Pearman said the key move would be to replace the Apprenticeship and Training Council (ATC) with the National Training Board.

He pledged to bring forward legislation to create the new body.

Mr. Pearman said the ATC's role had been too narrow. The focus of the new board would be "totally broadened.'' The board would set out to retrain older Bermudians whose skills were no longer required by the economy, as well as ensure younger ones were properly equipped for the modern workplace.

"We need to have a vision if we want young people to have a vision.'' But he also said some Bermudians needed to develop a better work ethic, and be prepared to put in longer hours.

Other employment measures outlined by Mr. Pearman during the House of Assembly's debate on the Budget estimates for his Ministry included: A landscape gardening programme, which started as a pilot scheme but is now ongoing; A pilot carpentry programme at Warwick Community Centre; A job search scheme, involving six two-hour sessions at Bermuda College; and A job skills programme, concentrating on areas of the economy offering most employment opportunities; Later, Shadow Labour Minister Mr. Alex Scott said he remained very sceptical about the measures.

Every year Mr. Pearman came to the House of Assembly with a package of ideas.

And yet Bermuda was still waiting to reap the rewards of them, said Mr. Scott.

For instance, why was there no Bermudian hotel manager? Mr. Scott said Bermudians still lost out to foreigners in the hunt for jobs.

One glaring example of this was the appointment of two British Police officers to Commissioner and Deputy Commissioner.

Government even reportedly intended paying their rent and giving them housing allowance once they arrived, said Mr. Scott.

United Bermuda Party MPs repeatedly complained that Mr. Scott should not discuss the Police, since the debate was on Immigration and the Labour Ministry headquarters.

Mr. Scott quipped that he was being turned into "Nervous Nellie'' by the interruptions.

However, he managed to skirt around the objections by referring to the Police indirectly.

He continually referred to it as that "organisation I cannot mention.'' And Mr. Scott also succeeded in tabling a 6,000-name petition objecting to the hiring of Mr. Colin Coxall and Mr. Michael Mylod.

Mr. Scott went on to provoke expressions of astonishment from the Government benches when he linked Mr. Pearman's employment record with an upsurge in crime.

There was no doubt unemployment and crime were connected, as had been accepted by Health Minister the Hon. Quinton Edness, said Mr. Scott.

Shortly after starting his presentation, Mr. Pearman released statistics on Bermuda's work force.

There were 34,000 workers, of which some 8,300, or about 25 percent, were unionised.

Mr. Pearman then spoke of Government attempts to promote good working relations.

He highlighted the recent labour relations summit, which covered such subjects as grievance procedures.

Efforts to reduce labour friction appeared to be bearing fruit since last year there were 400 "man days'' lost, compared to 1,023 in 1993.

Mr. Pearman hinted that the 1991 legislation which gave birth to the Essential Industries Disputes Settlement Board could be repealed.

He pointed out in the hotel sector smaller properties felt the legislation was tying them to the Bermuda Industrial Union forever.

And they had even refused to come to the negotiating table for the latest round of contract talks.

"It is a real concern to me. It should be of concern to the community.'' The last thing the Country wanted was to endure industrial action which was not justified.

Mr. Pearman said the question of repealing the legislation was being discussed by the Labour Advisory Council.

Turning to the Government Employment Office, Mr. Pearman said figures on unemployment were much better now.

Latest statistics showed there were 964 people unemployed or needing assistance with getting work.

The largest group of "displaced persons'' , said Mr. Pearman, were in the construction industry. This was followed by clerical workers.

The challenge was to redirect people into parts of the economy where jobs were available.

Mr. Pearman then turned to training, accepting Government in the past had not acted as "efficiently'' in this area as it should have done.

Bermuda now competed with the rest of the world.

This recognition prompted the proposal for the National Training Board, and moves to restructure the Government Employment Office.

Mr. Pearman said he had met the ATC executive to develop the idea.

Under the new board, tradespeople, such as plumbers, masons, electricians and mechanics would be licensed.

With the licensing system in place, consumers could be advised to hire only those on the list.

Mr. Pearman went on to urge businesses to buy scholarships at Bermuda College for training young people.

The college offered some very good courses which could assist people in technical areas, he said.

Turning to Immigration, Mr. Pearman said this department worked very closely with the Government Employment Office to find out what jobs were available to Bermudians.

Mr. Pearman agreed there were job categories where Bermudians were outnumbered by foreigners.

These included florists and restaurant staff.

Government was putting pressure for more Bermudians to be employed in both these areas.

But he stressed the importance of Bermudians developing a good work ethic.

For instance, some jobs, such as pot washing, involved long hours.

"What we find is that Bermudians will take the job and then don't want to work extended hours.

"Work ethic is very important. We have to focus on commitment and work ethic.'' Mr. Pearman pointed out work permits had declined over the years.

From December 1989 to December 1994 they had fallen from 10,100 to 5,400.

The number of those on permits had not grown with economic growth over the last 18 months.

"There are more Bermudians in the workforce.'' Mr. Pearman touched on the problem of illegal workers, saying Government had mounted random spot checks at businesses.

Two cases were going before the courts, he said, adding fines for infringements in this area could be increased.

Mr. Pearman also spoke of a Bermudian clergyman's problem in getting a posting within the Anglican Church.

He was trying to find a resolution to this.

Mr. Scott said Mr. Pearman's perception on the state of labour in Bermuda was very different from that of the Opposition.

He said the sight of Mr. Pearman going to London to recruit British Policemen sent a bad signal to the Country.

It was all very well for Mr. Pearman to come to Parliament with training proposals.

But such programmes had been called for by the Progressive Labour Party since the 1960s, '70s and '80s.

Seeing was believing, said Mr. Scott, and he wanted to see the programmes in action.

"I have great difficulty believing the Minister. He is well intended, but something happens between the cup and lip.'' Mr. Scott pointed out in 1990 19 percent of black Bermudians had reached the rank of sergeant in the Police Service.

"Has that changed?'' In contrast, statistics showed 52 percent of white Bermudians were sergeants or held more senior ranks.

Mr. Scott said Government's employment track record did not suggest the UBP was the right party to lead Bermuda to Independence.

Why could not more businesses follow the example of Belco and Telco in training Bermudians? It was wrong not to give Bermudians training, and then complain why they were not qualified for a job.

"You should not cripple a man and complain that he cannot walk.'' Mr. Scott questioned why 19 foreigners were slipped into Bermuda recently to carry out stocktaking at a business.

Surely, the local talent could have been employed.

Mr. Scott also called on Government to stop an alleged abuse by former Police officers who had moved into the private sector.

He complained such officers used Police files when wanting to check on prospective employees.

This practice was immoral and illegal and should be ended, he said.

Mr. Scott also asked Government to explain why a man deported from the Island following a drug conviction had returned to Bermuda and was working for an organisation.

The conclusion of yesterday's debate will be carried in Monday's paper.

Ministry of Labour & Home Affairs 1995/96 estimates Ministry responsibility: "To promote good industrial relations by providing advisory, conciliation, mediation and arbitration services in the prevention and settlement of industrial disputes. To ensure compliance with international labour standards as laid down by ILO conventions and recommendations applicable to Bermuda. To promote an employment office, health and safety services and to identify training needs.'' Budget estimate: $4,116,000 (last year $3,863,000) Budget allocation Immigration $2,814,000 Ministry headquarters $1,302,000 MR. PEARMAN -- `We need to have a vision if we want young people to have a vision.'