A new teacher training course is to be launched in Bermuda in an attempt to boost the number of educators on the Island, The Royal Gazette has learned.

For the first time, people will be able to qualify as teachers without studying overseas.

The Ministry of Education is inviting anyone with a good secondary school education and a Bachelors degree to apply for one of the places on the year-long course, which is set to get underway this September.

The part-time course is being offered in conjunction with a "prestigious'' overseas college in the US, but Education Minister Senator Milton Scott has declined to reveal which one, at the moment.

The aim is that people on the Island will be able to continue with their existing jobs while studying to be a teacher.

The course is being tailored to meet the specific needs of Bermuda's schools.

Sen. Scott said this was an ideal opportunity for people who wished to join the teaching profession, but did not want to study abroad or could not afford the extra expense of taking qualifications overseas.

He said: "In the past, Bermudians had to go overseas if they wanted to become qualified to teach.

"This is an expensive process, and many people don't want to leave their families and friends, even if they can afford it.

"This is the first time that Bermudians will be able to become qualified teachers without leaving their homes.

"We know there is a world wide shortage of teachers. At the moment, we are having some challenges in recruiting teachers from the UK, North America and the Caribbean.

"But how much better it will be when we can develop and train Bermudians for these jobs and build capacity here on the Island.'' The Education chief said he did not want to announce yet who the partnership was with, as they were still finalising the details of the agreement.

But he promised that it was a premier post-secondary institution, which provided strong professional education and delivered training globally.

He added: "We plan to start the training programme in September this year and participants will be able to continue in their existing jobs at the same time as studying for their teaching qualification.

"The course will take a year to complete and will cost under $8,000. We are looking at ways to reduce that figure still further and we may offer to assist some participants.'' There will be about 30 places on the course, which will include both a mentoring and co-teaching experience.

Teacher training course planned for Island However, it is not known what will happen if more people apply to do the course. Whether a second course group will be set up, or applicants will have to wait an additional year, has not been made clear.

It has also not yet been made clear whether this will be a one-off course, of whether it is planned as an on-going programme.

Most classes and seminars will be taught at the Bermuda College to combine local and international experience.

Sen. Scott said the programme was designed so that the prospective teachers would develop a sense of community among their fellow course mates to facilitate them working together as educators.

And he said the course was a tried and tested model that supported professionals, and allowed them to learn and work together.

The course will include curriculum design and developing literacy and numeracy for all types of learners.