A pilot course teaching how to use differences in race, sex, age and nationality to create a more productive community is being introduced this summer by the Bermuda College.

College president Dr. George Cooke said yesterday the "Diversity Skills Development Programme'' on offer in June has been tailor-made to meet the unique problems inherent in Bermuda's small size, multicultural population and close living and working conditions.

"We are in a period of very rapid change. Society and the workplace are becoming more and more multicultural,'' Dr. Cooke said at an information seminar attended by representatives from private businesses, government departments and community groups.

"Differences of race, gender, age, nationality, ethnicity, sexual orientation, physical disability and religious affiliation confront each other daily,'' he said.

"As a result, we are questioning many of our traditional assumptions about living and working together; questioning the validity of our current management and leadership styles.'' The course has been given financial backing from the Government, Bermuda Electric Light Company, Bermuda Telephone Company and the Bank of Bermuda.

Experts in the subjec t from the NLT Institute for Applied Behavioural Sciences based in Washington D.C. are teaching the programme.

Dr. Cooke said the teaching of diversity skills management puts into practice recommendations made in a Government White Paper last June on stamping out racism.

The policy favours encouraging partnerships between employers and employees to change attitudes and behaviour in the workplace.

"It's a national alliance we're seeking to create,'' Dr. Cooke said.

"Potentially this will have an impact on thousands of people in every different setting.

"We hope it will equip people to respond in a pro-active way and not wait until conflicts arise.'' NTL representative Dr. Argentine Saunders Craig yesterday outlined features of the 20-day course to representatives from the banks, insurance companies, Cable & Wireless, Department of Tourism, Bermuda Hospitals Board and Customs.