By setting performance standards for employees Island-wide, Bermuda employers can improve the quality of the work force and their product.

That was the message given to employers, union representatives, Government officials, educators and others who attended a forum sponsored by the Ministry of Labour and Home Affairs and the Bermuda College.

The two-day forum, the second of its kind, was a result of recommendations by the Task Force on Employment and the Commission of Competitiveness.

Visiting speakers Mr. Terry Bond of Swindon College and Ms Lynne Gell of Sheffield University both stressed that by establishing standards employees would know what was expected of them and employers would know exactly what they were looking for when they hired somebody.

Mr. Bond said standards would also make it easier for employers to assess people and determine what training was necessary for individuals to further themselves and help the company.

Speaking at the "Apprenticeship and Training Council Forum'' -- opened by Acting Labour and Home Affairs Minister the Hon. Pamela Gordon -- Mr. Bond explained that in order to do this, each trade and profession on the Island would have to establish "a lead body''.

The lead body -- consisting of local heads of trades and professions -- would set up an assessment centre where employees would be evaluated to ensure they met the "performance criteria''.

The "performance criteria'', Ms Gell explained, would show that the employee had the knowledge and was able to apply it.

"In other words,'' she said, "the employee would show his or her competence.'' The lead body would also have to choose an internationally-established "awarding body'', similar to the City and Guilds of London, Mr. Bond said, adding that it (the awarding body) would approve a testing centre -- like the college -- where employees would be assessed.

When the "awarding body'' was satisfied the employee had met the standards required, it would certify them.

He also noted that under such a system, the qualifications gained here in Bermuda would be recognised by overseas employers.

Ms Gell said the "awarding body'' could also demand a record of the employee's course work to prove the employee's competency.

She added it was important for employers not to push their employees in to the programme because of its intensity and she stressed that employers had to make clear to employees what was involved.

Yesterday, Labour and Home Affairs' training development officer Ms Naomi Schroter said organisations represented at the forum -- including Trimingham's, the college, the Education Department, Successories, Benedict Associates, and the Works and Engineering Ministry -- were following similar standards and wanted to motivate others to follow.

Ms Schroter also said it was time for Bermudians to realise what they wanted and deserved.