retraining programmes if the Island is to successfully adapt to future shifts in Bermuda's economic make up and workforce.

This was the consensus of those addressing the Bermuda College's planning team as a series of public forums continued at the Stonington Campus yesterday.

The Bermuda College has been hosting the forums to gather information from local professionals in an effort to establish the institution's role in the next century.

Yesterday's gathering addressed the major training requirements needed to sustain Bermuda's infrastructure in the year 2000.

Some of the recommendations put forward by the six presenters were: A certification, registration and licensing process must be established for local tradesmen -- including regular upgrading of skills.

All middle and senior school students should have introductory overview courses in the various technical vocations, so they can obtain useful skills and make educated decisions on whether a trade career is for them.

Career counselling must be available to provide guidance to those in need of a new occupational direction.

Training and retraining programmes directed at adults who are changing careers due to shifts in the Island's economic scope.

Efforts must be made to erase the stigmas associated with trade work.

Ms Gail Henderson, representing the Bermuda Human Resources Association, said the Bermuda College can play a major role by becoming a central facility for the training and retraining of the Island's workforce.

She said workshops and seminars could be held at the campus, negating the need for employers to send their workers overseas.

Echoing presenters from the previous two days, the president of the Bermuda Employers Council Mr. Michael Lohan, urged the college to participate more fully in the community, provide more flexible services and put a greater emphasis on career counselling.

He said council members were "most concerned'' that Bermuda's support industry -- especially with regards to training qualified tradesmen -- is not receiving sufficient attention.

Speaking on behalf of the Bermuda Technical Institute Alumnae, Mr. Ross Smith said a National Technology Centre located at the Stonington Campus could save money and consolidate training efforts.

He said the facility, which would be shared by senior schools, the college, and apprenticeship, certification and career-change students, would consist of workshops, laboratories, compounds and administrative offices.

Referring to the financial support necessary for such a project and other training programmes, Mr. Smith said: "You have to decide when you're going to pay. Now, in education, or in a new correction facility.'' The Bermuda Technical Institute ceased to exist in 1972, when it was combined with the Sixth Form Centre and The Bermuda Hotel School to form the Bermuda College.

Mr. Paget Wharton of the Apprenticeship and Training Council said the college should look beyond the traditional technical skills such as carpentry, masonry and motor mechanics.

As Bermuda's economy continues to evolve the skills of computer technicians, and electrical and mechanical engineers, will be more in demand he said.

"I think in the past 20 years more emphasis has been placed on the traditional skills. ..to the detriment of all the other skills coming to the forefront, and which will become the driving force in the next five to ten years,'' Mr. Wharton said.

"That is not to say the other skills do not have a place, but we have to realise these traditional skills will be required less in the future.'' Mrs. Helen Pearman Ziral, representing the Bermuda Training and Development Association, concurred with Mr. Wharton assessment of the rapidly changing face of the Island's infrastructure.

She said the "graying of Bermuda's workforce'' necessitates an increased emphasis on training and re-training.

Mrs. Pearman Ziral said the majority of the Island's workers will be over 45 in the year 2000 according to 1991 census figures, with 32 percent of the total population over 65.

Organisations will use a less hierarchical and more lateral management style in the future she said, and the traditional roles of many workers will undergo a transformation.

"Workers need training in career change and job preparation skills as they prepare for the shift in emphasis from service, hospitality, construction and the wholesale arenas,'' Mrs. Pearman Ziral said, adding that the workers need computer literacy programmes to prepare for career changes.

But the Bermuda Hotel Association's Mr. Dennis Tucker said his organisation believed a "levelling off'' in other industries would bring renewed interest in careers in hospitality.

He emphasised that the Island must be prepared to aggressively compete with other countries if it wants a substantial piece of what is projected to be the number one worldwide industry -- tourism.

Hotel employees at all levels must acquire new skills he said, adding that the Bermuda College must take on an even more demanding role in all aspects and levels of education.

BERMUDA COLLEGE EDC