lift for its sagging technical programmes.

Serco Aviation Services Inc., the Canadian company hired to operate the Airport for five years starting on June 1, has asked the college to help with training and hiring.

And Mr. Kelson Smith, associate dean of the college's faculty of applied sciences, said he expects the hand-off of the Bases to Bermuda from the US Navy will present further opportunities for the college.

The college could train people who will work for contractors operating the water plant and other systems at the St. David's Base. And with Management and Technology Minister the Hon. Grant Gibbons talking about turning part of the Base into an international telecommunications centre, Mr. Smith also sees enhanced opportunities for the college in that area.

The numbers of students and jobs will not be that large, but they could make a significant impact on the college's applied sciences enrolment.

This year, only 29 full-time students are enrolled in technical programmes like electronics, construction, or automotives. And only about six of them are at the associate degree level.

That is down from 80 to 100 full-time students in the mid-1980s, before the recession and a lack of jobs drove students into other areas.

"Perhaps the needs that are being communicated to the population regarding the Airport will emphasise the relevance of certain careers generally,'' Mr.

Smith said. "I see this linkage with Serco as some encouragement to expand our involvement with companies in general.'' In electronics, no more than six students are working on an associate degree or a certificate, which would be useful in landing a ground electronics maintenance job with Serco. As for other Serco jobs, like air traffic control, weather services, and firefighting, "It's fairly unclear at this point as to how we might be of assistance to them.'' Much depends on how much training is done on site at the Airport and "how we might link with that,'' Mr. Smith said.

Mr. Smith admitted that students who earn a general secondary school diploma in Bermuda sometimes have trouble meeting the college's admission standards.

"Certainly the mathematics you can get,'' he said. "We have problems with physics. Some places, it's just not offered.'' In those cases, the student is given a conditional admission and must take extra courses in the area that is lacking.

With the promised increased emphasis in technical training in the restructured school system, "I would believe that you'd have people come out with a real interest in these areas,'' Mr. Smith said. "The problem has been that people haven't been given exposure early enough.

"In the absence of something to keep their interest, they become disheartened. They believe that they've failed and they something else is the choice of last resort.'' Training employees for the Airport likely means the college must have better-recognised standards, Mr. Smith said.

In technical areas, and possibly in other programmes like hospitality, the college is likely to turn to City and Guilds of London, the largest certifying body in the United Kingdom.

Highly-regarded in the European Community, City and Guilds is increasingly accepted in North America as well, Mr. Smith said. The certifying body sets exams which the institution then teaches toward.

For Airport jobs, the number of students in a specific area might be too small to justify a course under the conventional college set-up. But Mr. Smith said a move to a "modular'' set-up which is in the works will allow the college to "accommodate a greater number of needs.'' Under a modular system, students in a variety of subjects can study in one classroom under a single instructor. The system also allows for greater flexibility in class hours.

The Airport turnover has come at a time of flux. In January of 1996, students and faculty in applied sciences are due to move from their run-down quarters on Roberts Avenue to a new facility under construction at Stonington Campus.

"It's a complex time, but a very exciting time,'' Mr. Smith said.

Speaking personally, Mr. Smith was not excited over the prospect of a university that is being discussed at the Base.

"If there was another institution it must affect us,'' he said. "I would think that we would want to examine very closely the role of the college in light of such a proposal.'' With an overall full-time enrolment of just under 500, "we can't do everything, but there are things which we can do, and which we do very well,'' said Mrs. Solange Saltus, vice-president academic and student affairs. "We need to exploit what we are doing to a greater extent before putting in place anything else.''