Schools need free-to-use computer software to help students learn the skills they need to thrive in the technologically advanced world, according to Bermuda Parent Student Teacher Association chairman Harry Matthie.Mr Matthie, a programming and engineering enthusiast, was responding to recommendations made by Opposition MP Rolfe Commissiong to break a trend that has seen thousands of jobs lost as a result of technological disruption.The BPSTA chairman said that students can learn coding by using open source software — computer software that can be studied, modified and distributed free of charge.This offers them positive reinforcement because their progress can be monitored live, and provides practical experience rather than theory-based study.He added that using this type of software Island-wide could furthermore help to create IT jobs in Bermuda. “There are a lot of people out there who are going to be using that open source software,” Mr Matthie said. “So if you create a model that satisfies a need then anybody that uses that software may pay you for support.”Yesterday The Royal Gazette reported the Shadow Minister of Human Affairs’ call for a Government-wide task force to claw back jobs being lost due to technological advances.In addition, Mr Commissiong has called on the Government to reform the Island’s education system as part of his recommendations.As well as establishing a “world-class education system” with an “increased focus on science, technology, engineering and math” (STEM) the Progressive Labour Party politician suggested teaching coding to at least 500 children yearly — a subject that should also be encouraged “within the school system”. While Mr Matthie said Mr Commissiong’s suggestion is “very feasible”, he added: “This is where Government can support the endeavour by moving to open source programmes.”Mr Matthie explained that because there are no restrictions preventing people from charging for open source software, Government, as well as local and international companies, could offer programmers “a bounty” to develop programmes using open source software or buy models to suit their needs if they have already been developed.Mr Matthie added that such a move by Government could create a market for IT work that requires a “stable of programmers”. Speaking in the House of Assembly, Mr Commissiong said that there is already a growing “Free Software” movement in Bermuda.He added that many of its proponents have said “it can produce a myriad of socio-economic benefits and enhance our competitive advantage for Bermuda over the long-term, including at the government level, if widespread adoption of free software can be achieved locally”. Meanwhile a Department of Home Affairs spokeswoman responded to Mr Commissiong’s call for Government’s education, workforce development, immigration, economic development and finance departments to team up in a single Cabinet-level task force to tackle technology’s impact on the Island’s workforce at a strategic level. The spokeswoman said: “The fact that many jobs are changing as new technology comes online is no secret but it should be stressed that technological advances do not equal unemployment — rather, they offer opportunities for retaining.”She added that Department of Workforce Development and the National Training Board are developing the National Training Plan, which will consider jobs available for Bermudian’s in the short, medium and long term based on industry trends and will suggest “strategies on how to best prepare our people for these professions”.“Part 1 of this Plan was put together using feedback from a wide cross-section of industry stakeholders, including those from the following sectors: Government Ministries, Corporate Bodies and Agencies, Financial and Insurance, Hotels and Hospitality, Development and Infrastructure, and Sales and Services.”