PACE is Bermuda College's Professional and Career Education center where you can train part-time (one to three days/nights a week) for jobs that are in demand in Bermuda.

This fall, a number of new courses are being offered — specifically aimed at training more Bermudians to fill jobs that often go to foreigners because of a lack of local applicants.

Aside from the many trades and IT certifications already offered by PACE, the following are brand new starting this autumn:

• Hairdressing certificate

• Executive Secretary certificate

• Drywaller certificate

In addition the College (not PACE) is offering a full Associates Degree in Nursing, which has generated a lot of interest.

PACE director Tawana Flood says you train for the Hairdressing, Executive Secretary and Drywall certifications in a year or less.

She says these areas of employment are growing in Bermuda but traditionally have been filled by non-Bermudians.

The College's Associates Degree in Nursing compliments the nursing assistant certificate already offered.

The College says numerous hair salons are opening up around the Island; qualified nurses are always in demand at the hospital and other medical facilities, drywall is being used much more in construction in Bermuda and experienced executive secretaries can make top dollar in Bermuda's international business sector.

What exactly can you expect to earn?

Carleen Place, PACE's Programme Coordinator, says the starting salary for a drywall installer is about $17.50 an hour at Bermuda Drywall & Ceiling Limited, increasing to $20 after three months.

TCC Drywall's starting salary is $16 an hour.

In both cases, salary is based on experience, so the pay above will be for newly graduated candidates achieving their certificates through Bermuda College.

Starting salaries for executive secretaries start in the high $50,000s to $60,000s range.

Salaries for nurses, and hairdressers vary greatly, depending on experience.

Sandra Dill, who manages the nursing programmes says at a recent information session, more than 30 people turned up wanting to sign up to become nurses. Many were nursing assistants who wanted to upgrade to full bedside nurse.

In addition PACE already offers:

• Certificate for Childcare Assistant (work in a nursery school, pre-school or as a teaching assistant in a primary school)

• Certificate for Nursing Assistants (gain an entry-level position in the health care industry — making about $900 a week in a doctor's office, hospital, nursing home or service)

• Certificate in Legal Studies, Certificate for Legal Secretaries (prepares you to work for a law firm, or legal environment as a secretary or paralegal)

• Certificate in Bartending, Dining Room service

Carleen Place of PACE says the Nursing Assistant and Childcare Assistant programmes are very popular with locals.

College recruitment officer Cha'Von Clarke says not to forget the College also offers many trades and IT programmes including:

• Diploma in Web Development

• Computer Network Engineer

• Network Tech

• Associates Degree in Computer Information Systems

These course can help you land a number of a hot jobs, including systems administrator, helpdesk assistant, junior network engineer, IT technician, computer analyst, and IT sales rep.

"One of the most consist career paths that remain stable during the economic downturn is a career working with computers," Clarke says. It's a great option!"

Clarke notes the College has seen a significant increase in the number of women and professionals wanting to train for careers in the trades.

She says that's probably due to the economy, and the desire for more stable employment or a second job.

Certificates are offered in:

• Electrical Wiring tech

• Electronics Tech

• Heating, Ventilation, A/C

• Motor Vehicle Tech

• Plumbing

• Wood Tech

And Diplomas are offered in:

• Chef apprenticeship

• Culinary Arts

• Food and Beverage Management

• Welding Management