An ambitious plan stretching into the next century has been mapped out for Bermuda College.

President Dr. George Cook said proposals for the college included: Turning it into the preferred place for post-secondary education and training by 1999; Making it the college of first choice for 75 percent of secondary school graduates by 2,001; Boosting the return rate of eligible students by 50 percent or more; Ensuring all graduates were in suitable education schemes or jobs within six months of completing college programmes; and Increasing non-governmental revenues by 100 percent.

Dr. Cook told Hamilton Rotarians the college had already started trying to meet the objectives.

For example, it had introduced a service aimed at getting employers and employees to work out training plans.

It had also launched the Learning Enhancement Programme to make it easier for students to enter further education and get employment.

"Bermuda College is attempting through its strategic plan to prepare for the future which will soon be upon us,'' said Dr. Cook.

"Bermuda College is a resource for enabling Bermudians to prepare themselves for a future of change. Change is something that we cannot escape.'' But Dr. Cook warned Bermuda College could only offer programmes students wanted.

And he pointed out how the food and beverage scheme was dropped because nobody entered it. Students were moving away from the technical and hospitality fields, he added.

"The Stonington Beach Hotel is an excellent training facility, and the college is revamping the training methods employed there.

"But that will not stop students thinking that a better future, whether true or not, may lie in law, or accounting, or teaching, or Government service, or banking, or insurance.

"The absence of clearly established industry standards, of licensing and certification, and of clearly articulated career paths are major deterrents to young people in seeing certain industries as desirable options.

"Recent efforts to establish technical training standards and similar efforts in the hospitality field are all steps in the right direction.

"These are issues which are being tackled on a broad front by many of the players, including Bermuda College.

"Yet, students, and their parents and advisors, must see a need to pursue a programme, they must actually want to enter the programme, and they must be as well equipped as possible with the educational skills and attitudes to do so.'' Dr. Cook's comments came at Tuesday's luncheon meeting of Hamilton Rotary Club at the Princess Hotel.

He told Rotarians 1996 was a major landmark in the history of the college.

"For the first time in its more than 21 years, all the students of Bermuda College will be together on a single, unified campus at Stonington.'' Dr. Cook said this had been a dream of successive boards of governors since the college began.

"Bermuda College always has been, and likely will remain a comprehensive institution.

"For a community of Bermuda's size and resources, it makes good economic and organisational sense to combine different roles.

"Bermuda College combines the elements of a university college, technical institute, community college, hospitality training centre, business school, and further education centre for adults.

"In larger jurisdictions, these functions would often be carried on by distinctly different institutions focussed on specific roles.'' Dr. Cook pointed out the building of the Centre for Technical Education would be completed in January next year.

This would enable the Roberts Avenue workshops to be closed.

"Now with a thoroughly modern and well-equipped facility, the Director of Technical Education and Training Services is also revamping the technical programmes.

"New facilities and new methods will make a difference in the quality of what is delivered.

"They may even attract more students equipped for the programmes. What they cannot do is make students do what they don't want to.

"Basically, students vote with their feet; they leave some areas in favour of others according to their assessment of their future prospects.

If students perceive greater benefits in, for instance, international business, that is where they will go.

"The same challenges facing the technical trades also face the hospitality industry.

"Bermuda College offers a variety of hospitality programmes: but, a few years ago the food and beverage service programme was discontinued; literally, there were no students to take it.'' Dr. Cook added: "To illustrate how students `vote with their feet' and go after what they think is more attractive, consider this: "Since 1976, Bermuda College's enrolment has seen a steady shift from the certificates, or job preparation programmes, into the diplomas/associates, or university transfer programmes.'' Dr. Cook said Bermuda had been experiencing a fundamental social change.

"Bermuda's students are seeking social mobility. Therefore, Bermuda College's enrolment reflects the perceptions in society.

"Students' career choices are influenced by their teachers, their guidance counsellors and, especially, by their parents.'' Dr. George Cook BIG PLANS -- The Bermuda College, Roberts Avenue.

EDC