Bermuda College recognised its history of offering trade skills during an on-campus ceremony.

The Built to Last event, which took place at the Butterfield and Vallis Conference Centre on Wednesday, honoured past students who learned the tricks of their trade at the college and went on to lead successful lives.

Teneika Eve, a senior lecturer at the college, said the trades were the “bread and butter” of Bermuda.

Dr Eve added: “Many people have built their homes, educated their children and have built a living off of these arts.”

Almuni were honoured in the categories of plumbing, HVAC, electronics, electrical work, motor vehicles, hospitality in management and non-management roles, culinary arts, welding, wood technology and building owners and management institute.

Patricia Robinson, a retired member of the hospitality faculty, was recognised for her contributions and granted the title of professor emeritus.

Ms Robinson worked at the college for 35 years before retiring in 2015, during which time she won the Teacher of the Year award for three consecutive years.

David Sam, the president of Bermuda College, described Ms Robinson as a “versatile and dedicated educator”.

She is now one of three people with the title of professor emeritus at Bermuda College.

The college also honoured retired faculty members of technical education — Robert Burgess, Cannoth Roberts and Llewelyn Trott.

Dr Sam said that these students and faculty were the “two competent parts of our DNA”.

He added that enrolment for the college was up by 5 per cent for both full-time and part-time students, while trade enrolment had gone up by 31 per cent.

Dr Sam said: “Nasa often says ‘Houston, we have a problem’.

“But I’m saying ‘Bermuda, we have a solution — and that solution is called Bermuda College’.”

Nasir Wade, the chairman of Bermuda College’s Board of Governors, said that recognising the honourees’ work was “vital” to helping the trades industries thrive.

He described them as people who “kept our society running” and added that, as technology improved, most of the trades were “AI-proof” and secure.

Mr Wade added: “I just want you all to know that you are key and integral to what we do here at Bermuda College.

“The young people out there, they want to get involved in hospitality and the trades.

“There’s nothing more powerful than seeing the first female who’s doing it in their trade and another young female knows she can do that, too.”