A Bermuda Hospitality Institute will be launched by next month, according to Premier Ewart Brown.

However, it is thought that the Institute is replacing a December 2007 election pledge to create a Hospitality Learning Centre.

Speaking of the Learning Centre prior to the election Dr. Brown said: "It's going to be the Tourism Department's feeder school if you will, for entry-level jobs in the hospitality area, and it's going to be a joint effort between Government and the private sector."

On Monday, he announced that the formulation of the Bermuda Hospitality Institute was expected by the end of the third quarter and confirmed that the Learning Centre's name had been changed.

He said: "The BHI will serve to lead and encourage the development, growth and sustainability of Bermudians in the hospitality industry. It's goal will be to encourage young Bermudians to pursue hospitality as a career while simultaneously encouraging the current workforce of the merits of rejoining the industry or considering the hospitality field as a second career choice.

"The entire concept will be presented to Cabinet shortly and there will be ads in the press for an Executive Director by the end of this week."

When asked if the BHI's focus had shifted from educating young Bermudians and preparing them for tourism jobs as the Learning Centre had been billed Dr. Brown said no.

"It will focus on management opportunities and will meet the needs of the hotel industry both in terms of their needs now and in the future," he said.

Previously Dr. Brown said the Learning Centre was expected to be open by the end of 2008.