Electrician Sam Nusum, 61, said opportunities have opened up in the two decades he has run his business which has grown from a one-man operation to employing eight people.

But he said it was people in industry, such as architects, rather than Government, who had kept it a closed shop in times past for him as Government work was not a big factor for his business.

And now he sees family relationship and nationality ties, as well as race, as factors in who gets what contracts.

He said it was very important to set up industry standards to improve skills across the board and he praised the PLP election promises to boost technical education in schools.

He also backed the PLP promise of sector councils to identify skills needed and said the UBP promise of 20 percent of Government contracts to small business was needed as larger businesses have a definite advantage.

Asked if he felt there was a level playing field in bidding for jobs, he said more needed to be done.

Mr. Nusum won't say who he's voting for but added: "I would just like to see a reasonably close election. My feeling is politicians should have to work and earn their place. I hope it is close enough so everyone does the best they can for the ordinary people."