The bond which unites them is that they were all educated at the now defunct Bermuda Technical Institute.

Widely assumed to have been formed, back in the 'fifties, as a political measure to promote racial integration, the Institute surprised just about everyone. It proved to be a spectacular success, with its balanced emphasis on a technical education strongly backed by corresponding academic demands.

If no-one is quite sure just why the Technical Institute was closed down in the 'seventies, there is now almost universal agreement that this decision -- also thought to be based on political posturings which now laid increasing emphasis on academic ommercial education -- was a mistake. A mistake for which, many feel, the Island is now paying a heavy price in that too few Bermudians are going into careers requiring a technical background.

Understandably, many ex-`Tech' students are frustrated -- and saddened -- that the unquestionable benefits of their education has rarely been openly acknowledged.

As one former student comments, "There are lots of misconceptions about a `technical' education. Most kids have no idea what is even involved and I doubt if they know that a lot of our most successful businessmen have got the `Tech' to thank for where they are today''.

Now, in an effort to redress this concept, several of them are in process of forming the Bermuda Technical Institute Association (BTIA). A group of ex-students have been meeting for over a year, planning the formation of an alumni association. The inaugural gathering took place at the Belmont Hotel last Saturday evening. More than 200 people attended.

The formation of the BTIA is a step which most would agree can only benefit a community where local firms, especially those in the utilities line of business, often find it hard to find suitably qualified Bermudian employees.

"The objective of the Association is two-fold,'' says Trustee and ex-Technical Institute student, Mr. Henry Ming. "It's not just a social group -- although there's a great camaraderie amongst all of us -- but it's also an effort to bring together past students, or indeed anyone with technical skills, to assist with future education programmes. This is not necessarily to revive the school, per se, but to promote technical training within the facilities of the Bermuda College, or within any business that could provide training, such as Telco, Belco or Cable & Wireless.'' Mr. Ming is a self-employed architect who has worked on some of the Island's major projects. He is currently serving as president of the Architectural Association of Bermuda, he is president of the Hamilton Lions Club, a council member of the National Trust and a member of the Bases Utilisation Committee.

"There is a misconception among young people today,'' he says, "that if you have a technical education, you're going to spend your life sitting around for the rest of your life with oil on your face! Nothing could be further from the truth. People in industry in Bermuda are looking for apprentices who can go on to achieve very good qualifications, as engineers, for instance. Kids have this idea that they don't want to be a mechanic, and so on, yet most of the top jobs at local companies are held by ex-`Tech' students. All of these jobs require a combination of academic and technical training. Companies are very good about sending people away to further their education, but at the moment, they are having to spend a fortune, starting from scratch with kids who haven't got a clue, not even the bare basics in technical subjects. This doesn't make a lot of sense!'' Mr. Philip Pedro, another former student of the BTI, and now the president of the Bermuda branch of an international investment company, and membership chairman of the Institute of Chartered Secretaries of which he is a Fellow in both the UK and Canada, agrees.

"I think a lot of people think we just went there to learn how to fix cars.

In fact, we had 100 percent passmark in Maths `O' levels. We also had extremely good pass levels in Physics, Chemistry, Geometry, as well as things like mechanical and geometrical drawing. Look at Henry -- he went on to become a qualified architect as a result of his training at the Tech!'' In fact, after Mr. Ming completed his education there, he obtained a Bachelors degree in Architecture and Environmental Studies, and a Masters in Architecture from the University of Manitoba.

For Mr. Pedro, the journey to success was more round-about. Apprenticed for three years as a jeweller, he then went on to become manager of the IBM service department at Bermuda Office Supplies. Believing that his management experience there set him in good stead, he applied for a job, managing a subsidiary company of Conyers, Dill & Pearman. During the 13 years that he ran what was eventually a group of companies, Philip Pedro was busy completing his education. Putting in long hours of study at nights and weekends, he qualified as a chartered secretary as well as taking insurance examinations.

In his spare time -- i.e. lunch hours -- he ran extra courses for other students who were having a hard time keeping up with the academic pressure.

Today, he heads Olympic Capital (Bermuda) Ltd., part of the international Olympian Capital group of companies.

He says,"I believe the education we were given at the Tech prepared all of us to take on management jobs. It's no use trying to run any kind of company unless you have a practical knowledge of what's involved. At IBM, for instance, the technicians who went round repairing typewriters sold far more than the salesmen!'' They point out that just a fraction of the successful people who attended the Technical Institute include Rick Richardson, PTB director Herman Basden, Corporation of Hamilton councilman and former Senator, Reginald Minors from the Board of Education, MPs Dr. David Dyer, Maxwell Burgess, Wayne Furbert and Walter Lister, Bryant Richards at Addiction Services, Stuart Hayward, delMonte Davis, circulation manager at The Royal Gazette , Malcolm Swan at PW's, and Dennis Tucker, now manager at Sonesta Beach Hotel.

"Tools and Equipment Ltd. is owned by ex-Tech students, and many of the top jobs at Belco, Telco and Cable & Wireless are held by Tech people.'' Yet, says Mr. Pedro, "A lot of kids were just dumped at the Tech., tossed aside by `experts' who considered they were unsuitable for academic work. I guess a lot of us surprised a lot of people who were proved entirely wrong in their assessments!'' Both believe that, in many ways, the Bermuda Technical Institute was ahead ofits time.

"We never looked at our classmates as having different colour skins, and we've all remained friends since,'' says Mr. Ming.

"Well, at that time, it was the only integrated school on the Island,'' adds Mr. Pedro. "We were also the first Government school to have extra-curricular activities. There were such marvellous, dedicated teachers there, which I think goes a long way in explaining its success. People like Sid Rumbelow, Clifford Maxwell who went on to become head of Berkeley, and Mansfield Brock, who used to come back and teach Physics in the evenings, so that the kids who had been out on day-release practical programmes were able to keep up with the academic work and pass their GCE's.'' Recalling their years at the Institute, they seem slightly amused by all the current fuss over the provision of spectacular school buildings."There comes a time, obviously, when you do have to upgrade facilities, but I don't believe a new building guarantees a good education system. We actually helped to build the Tech, with our own hands.'' "And,'' says Mr. Pedro, "we had no assembly hall. We used to have to congregate outside in the mornings for prayers, a lesson and a song!'' Possibly as a result of the recent recession, they say, they have sensed a new attitude among young people.

"Some of them are now beginning to realise that a technically-based job can provide a very good career and some kids are saying that there ought to be more training that will help them, in practical ways, to get a job,'' says Mr.

Ming.

With this in mind, BTIA has agreed to go into the Island's schools to give career guidance: "People in industry are looking for apprentices. In the last decade or so, they have found it difficult to attract young people who all want to work for exempt companies or an office job in Government''. says WHO? Already some BTIA members teach part-time at the College, while some ex-students are on the faculty there.

"Also, down the line,'' says Mr. Ming, "We would like to try and form a scholarship trust fund to encourage people who would like to go to university abroad, so we shall be keeping an eye on those who demonstrate a particular talent in the technical field.'' BTIA is acutely aware that, with the Base closures, Bermuda is facing a challenging time when, it is generally agreed, those with a strong background in technical subjects will become invaluable.

"Government has set up Boards to look into Base utilisation, the airport and so on, and we want -- and need -- to be involved in all the important decisions that have to be made,'' says Mr. Pedro.

Former students, or anyone with technical skills, is invited to join the BTIA.

"We would like to hear from as many people as possible,'' they emphasise.

Telephone Mr. Ming at 295-8226 or Mr. Pedro at 292-1018 for further details.

REVIVING EDUCATIONAL HERITAGE -- Pictured are, from left, Mr. Philip Pedro and Mr. Henry Ming, two of the trustees of the newly formed Bermuda Technical Institute Association.