Controls on work permits won't be enough for Bermudians to retain jobs in the future, according to Eugenie Simmons, the director of the Centre for Professional and Career Education (PACE), at the Bermuda College.

"International business will just move elsewhere if we don't have the skills to fill these jobs."

Ms Simons is very adamant about the need for Bermudians to take advantage of professional development opportunities.

"The apathy by our local workforce toward professional development is most disconcerting given the high level of skills required in our job market. The current numbers of work permits awarded annually is an ongoing concern to the community."

"Many of the work permits awarded annually are for job classifications that Bermudians can qualify for through the Bermuda College."

She said there are currently 200 work permits awarded annually for chefs yet there are only a handful of Bermudians who are qualifying in this area.

Through PACE she wants to ensure that the training locals invest in can stand up to the demands of the global market.

"We are living in a knowledge driven paradigm that requires knowledge, skills and a highly educated workforce and our service providers demand a highly skilled workforce."

"We are an international jurisdiction with a global client base and compete on a global basis. In order to retain and continue to attract international business it is important we have a workforce that can support that business."

"It makes no sense for a business to be in Bermuda and be unable to have people to run its IT department, to make sure their air conditioning systems don't malfunction."

"Even in a sophisticated jurisdiction toilets must flush. The Island needs plumbers with internationally recognised journeymen qualifications to build, install and repair the complex plumbing systems in our large office buildings."

Ms Simmons said workers need to update their skills on ongoing basis because national boundaries are non-existent in a global economy and the local workforce will have to accept some of the current current realities of how a service economy functions in today's global market.

Training co-ordinator Janel Sloan said PACE offers programmes, courses and seminars for professional certification and designations, professional development and workplace development and training.

The College partners with local institutions ? including Government departments ? and overseas institutions to make training opportunities available and help people gain promotions.

"Recently we have taken that training and joined it to opportunities to get overseas qualifications through such organisations as the Institute For Legal Executives, Institute of Leadership and Management, Builders Owners Management Institute of Canada and Microsoft," Ms Sloan said.

"These international qualifications become important for Bermudians to obtain because it means they can stand beside anybody from overseas claiming positions."