Government yesterday announced the signing of a joint scholarship agreement worth $10,000 between the National Training Board and the New England Institute of Technology (NEIT) in Warwick, Rhode Island.

The initial value of the scholarship is $10,000 per student. The NEIT award of $5,000 is for two years and the NTB award of $5,000 is for one year, with further funding from the board based on satisfactory progress. So far 14, Bermudians have received the joint scholarship award.

Present for the announcement were Andrew Antone, International Admissions Officer for NEIT, Chairman of the NTB Ottiwell Simmons, NTB Executive Officer Michael Stowe and Minister of Labour Home Affairs and Public Safety Terry Lister.

"The Government is committed to ensuring Bermuda's economic future by preparing Bermudians for meaningful employment, and the National Training Board accepted this challenge," Mr. Lister said.

To date, the NTB has sponsored more than 200 students for training in 29 occupational careers at 40 colleges through the NTB's Technical/Vocational Education Training (TVET) tuition assistance programme.

Mr. Lister continued: "The National Training Board maintains a close relationship with its overseas training providers, especially at institutions where a significant number of Bermudians are enrolled. A relationship with the New England Institute of Technology was forged with introductions by the local technical industry partner HWP Group."

Mr. Lister also said that Mr. Simmons and Mr. Stowe visited the school this February to get first hand knowledge of the programmes on offer and to try to increase Bermudian enrolment.

Since October, student enrolment at NEIT has increased from five to 16 students.

Mr. Lister added: "It is expected that the NTB/NEIT relationship will grow. It is also our sincere desire that many Bermudians will be motivated to accept this tremendous opportunity, pursue technical studies and return to Bermuda as contributing members of our society."

Mr. Simmons said that his visit to NEIT with Mr. Stowe was a real "eye opener," and added: "They (NEIT) provide programmes and facilities second to none in the US."

And he said that the signing of the agreement was a good sign that the NTB was on its way to greater things.

"Andrew Antone is a friend of ours, he is dedicated to the cause of training."

Mr. Antone said Bermuda's commitment to education was to be commended and said that NEIT had been in the business of education for over 30 years.

He said the college sets very high standards. "Not getting a job out of college is a personal insult to us. Drop outs are not accepted," he said.

And he was pleased to say that Bermudians attending the college had sustained a 100 percent retention rate.

Mr. Antone also said he looked forward to strengthening the school's relationship with the Island, and was expected to have a tour of Bermuda College yesterday afternoon to help forge ties.