One in four of Bermuda's workforce is an overseas guest worker. That percentage increases markedly, in an unfavourable way for Bermudians, within the arena of international business where the best salaries are to be found.

Twenty-one Bermudians who could help balance things up were yesterday each given a $30,000 key to opening the door to rewarding international careers courtesy of scholarships from the international business community through the Association of Bermuda International Companies (ABIC).

Applauding the generosity and commitment of presenting $630,000 shared between 21 recipients, who were interviewed and assessed from 64 applicants, Labour and Immigration Minister Derrick Burgess said he heartily congratulated ABIC for its support each year. The scholarship programme has now been running for 27 years.

The scholarship recipients will use their $30,000, paid out over two years, towards the cost of study and living expenses at accredited, four-year degree-granting colleges and universities.

Those picked have ambitions to pursue careers as lawyers, chartered accountants, business administration, computer engineering and in other aspects of international commerce.

Guest speaker Mr. Burgess said: "This Government is concerned about the provision of opportunities for Bermudians in all areas of the employment arena, not only in the international business but the local financial service sector, the retail industry, fashion, emerging telecommunications sector and of great importance the hospitality sector," he said.

"Government will take the actions necessary to produce a world class workforce to secure a prosperous future for all Bermuda and its citizens. The Government has a responsibility to reach out to all sections of the community. To that end Government is pursuing the Workforce Development Strategy whose goal is to maximize the potential of all Bermudians in all sectors at all levels of the workforce."

Mr. Burgess recalled a recent story of a Bermudian who had received a $50,000 scholarship from a local bank 10 years ago and gone on to secure a rewarding career with one of the biggest companies in the US. That man had this year returned his scholarship money to the bank in the hope it will be used to afford the same opportunity for another Bermudian.

The Labour Minister wondered if any of this year's ABIC scholarship recipients might find themselves making a similar altruistic choice 10 years down the line.

He went on: "International business contributes more than $1 billion to our economy each year. As Bermuda's international business continues to grow it is vitally important that Bermudians receive appropriate training and experience for positions in the international business arena. We cannot claim to be successful as an Island and as a people if we are not participating in and benefiting from this sector.

"One in four jobs in Bermuda was held by contract workers in 2006. Out of just under 40,000 jobs, 10,000 are held by guest workers."

He said Government recognised the value and contribution of guest workers but at the same time was working to protect the rights of Bermudian workers to ensure they are not unfairly displaced by guest workers and ensure they are provided with training opportunities.

Mr. Burgess underscored this with statistics that last year showed two out of three accountants in Bermuda were guest workers, as were 87 percent of actuaries, 56 percent of underwriters, 57 percent of computer programmers, and 36 percent of lawyers. Amongst finance managers the figure is 70 percent non-Bermudian.

"They are here on work permits because there are not enough qualified Bermudians to fill the jobs available. The students in this room have the power to change this and I hope your aspirations are to rise to the top of your chosen profession," he said, pointing out the international business sector provides the highest paying jobs in Bermuda with a median income of $82,000 in 2006, compared to the median income of $50,000 for all jobs in Bermuda.

Before presenting the individual awards with ABIC's education committee chairman Roy Fellows, Mr. Burgess told recipients: "You are the future and our progress as a nation rests firmly on your shoulders. My commitment on behalf of Government - equal opportunity awaits, my hope is that Bermudians become leaders in all realms of international business, my dream is that I shall read in 10 years time about 21 students returning half-a-million dollars to ABIC so that another generation is afforded the opportunity to participate in this great economy."

ABIC chairman David Ezekiel said he expected the percentages of Bermudians compared with non-Bermudians in the professions read out by Mr. Burgess to be "very different" in 10 years time as more Bermudians take scholarship opportunities through ABIC.

A special $5,000 bonus award was given to Natasha Khan who is training to be a lawyer. She received the Michelle Outerbridge Memorial Award as the candidate most exhibiting the qualities of enthusiasm, academic ability and vitality of the late Ms Outerbridge who was a recipient in 2000 but died before the start of that academic year.