Young Bermudians interested in a career with ships can now be paid for going to school.

Premier Dr. Ewart Brown announced the creation of the three trainee ship surveyor posts in the Department of Maritime Administration in the House of Assembly on Friday.

The posts are only open to Bermudian students, who will have their tuition paid for as well as receiving salary throughout the period of training.

Dr. Brown said: “The aim is to attract high school or college students looking to take courses leading to an engineering qualification and to train them in this highly specialised field of ship surveying.

“This is an exciting opportunity for capable and enthusiastic young Bermudians to train and join a demanding and challenging industry, which in addition to providing personal rewards, will ensure that the Bermuda Registry of Shipping retain its class A status and hard-earned international reputation.”

Formerly the Registry of Shipping, the Department of Maritime Administration is responsible for the administration of its Shipping Register and for the implementation of legislation on shipping safety and pollution prevention.

The Department, which falls under the Ministry of Tourism and Transport, has historically had problems attracting Bermudians to the post of ship surveyors and to the department in general.

Dr. Brown said he hoped the trainee positions would make young people more interested in these positions.