Sixteen graduates celebrated yesterday after completing a range of courses provided by the National Cable Television Institute.

The graduation ceremony took place at the Bermuda College where students received certificates for studies in all aspects of broadband communication.

CableVision had invested $300,000 in the training programme for permanent staff, as well as four others from outside the company.

The courses ranged from installer, installer technician, service technician, system technician, fibre technician and advanced technician. The courses are accredited and can be put towards a university degree.

Jeremy Elmas, general manager of CableVision, said: "There is a new CableVision in the making, and the completion of this training is an important step in that direction. "As we work to complete the rebuild of our cable system, we are continuing to take steps across the board to make improvements to service.

"Today, we are confident that our people are acquiring the skills they need to help us reach that goal. We are very proud of them for their hard work and dedication." The graduates will begin in-field training, which will allow them practical experience for what they have learned.

The company hired an in-house trainer and plant manager, Tony Emig, who will be responsible for this phase.

CableVision's new cable system incorporates a number of new technologies and capabilities, including two-way communications, fibre optic cabling and greater bandwidth capacity.

The new features required the technicians to acquire an entirely new skill set, as well as an in depth understanding of core cable television concepts.

The graduates were Andre Dill, Isaiah Ejiikeme, Marshallene Robinson, Antoine Binns, Edwin Cumberbatch, Denford Davis, David Greene, Michael Jones, Dandre Leach, Conrad Mackenzie, Khari Martin, Kimmie Simmons, Charles Williams, Wayne Williams, Oronde Wilson and Clifton Ross.