The Ministry of Education joined forces with the National Training Board and the Construction Association of Bermuda in launching a new credited technical-based programme at CedarBridge Academy yesterday.

CedarBridge Academy is the first public school in Bermuda to introduce a programme offered by the National Centre for Construction Education and Research and will earn credits which will be transferable to technology programmes at the Bermuda College.

Students who succeed in meeting the requirements of these courses will earn internationally recognised qualifications. The top student in technical studies also stand in line to be awarded a Technical Studies Scholarship Award worth between $10,000 and $12,000.

Education Minister, Terry Lister said a well funded education system could only continue to exist within the context of a flourishing economy and inefficiency, a lack of flexibility and a failure to meet the needs of our students at school in the short term, meant lower economic growth in the medium to long term.

?And that means fewer resources available for education in the future,? he said, adding technical training had always been associated with giving people specific skills so that they could fill certain jobs in a particular industry.

He said emphasis is practical and hands-on and there are several benefits to this approach for students because they are able to apply for jobs, enter the workforce and be productive.

Since CedarBridge opened, senior students have been introduced to basic carpentry, basic electronics and graphical communications.

In September last year the Department of Education upped the stakes when design and technology teachers started using the National Centre for Construction Education and Research (NCCER) Core Programme along with locally produced design and technology curriculum.

At the moment, both male and female students from S2-S4 take the Transportation Technology I course and will move to take the Transportation Technology II course. By the end of the programme, they will be qualified in various aspects including understanding power sources, vehicle support systems, transmissions and vehicle body repair.

The Ministry of Education and the National Training Board have also proposed three new introductory level courses at CedarBridge Academy for September this year including Construction, Technology, Electronics and Electrical Installation. Students from the public system who enter the technical studies programme at the Bermuda College have been taking the National Centre for Construction Education and Research Core Programme.

Mr. Lister said it made good sense to expose students to the core programme while still in Senior School because it would better prepare them for both the Bermuda College and for their future jobs.