partnership between schools and businesses in Bermuda. The result of a government strategy outlined in the UBP blueprint, the partnership was formed in April, 1994 to develop stronger links between the education and business community. A diverse group from major business sectors as well as education representatives from around the Island meet regularly with a view to developing the relationship between schools and businesses, said committee co-chairman and the Ministry's education officer responsible for life skills and career education, Mrs. Janette Musson. "We want to make the best use of our resources in Bermuda and really address our education needs,'' she said.

The business/education partnership's mission is to help school students make realistic associations between what they learn in school and the workplace.

"Students should be able to make realistic connections so they can better prepare themselves,'' she said. The Ministry of Education formed the partnership after inviting representatives from every major industry sector to participate, said Mrs. Musson, adding that the group now meets twice a month.

Businesses involved include the Chamber of Commerce, the International Companies Division of the Chamber of Commerce, the Bermuda Technical Institute Association, Hotel Employees of Bermuda, the Institute of Chartered Accountants, the Bermuda Public Service Association, the Hospital Board, the Bermuda Insurance Institute, the Bank of Bermuda, the Bermuda Hotel Sales & Marketing Association, the BIU, the Ministry of Labour and Home Affairs, and Government Personnel Services. Education representatives include a Berkeley Institute guidance counsellor, the deputy principal of Gilbert Institute and an education officer from Craft & Technology at the Department of Education.

The purpose of the business/education partnership committee is to help bridge the communication gap between people in the schools and business, said co-chairman of the committee and Institute of Directors representative Mr. Ken Spurling. "We gather information and get a feel of how businesses are involved with the development of students' careers. Then we advise the Ministry (of Education) based on our research, thoughts, ideas and beliefs,'' said Mr. Spurling. He added: "There are so many young people who think there's nothing here for them to do. They go abroad, get educated and often, they don't come back because they feel Bermuda holds no opportunity for them.

"We're trying to let Bermudians know there are many career options available.

And students are beginning to realise this,'' he said. Deputy principal and primary teacher of Gilbert Institute Mrs. Gloria Martin said the partnership Stronger links between education and business community develop educators in the partnership, said Mrs. Martin. "The committee may formulate some ideas which sound great but it's important for educators to say whether it will work in the schools or not.'' She added: "I think the partnership is excellent. After all, the ultimate aim of education is to prepare children for the work force of tomorrow.'' The partnership is young as yet but it is moving toward developing goals and objectives this year having already done some important groundwork, noted Mrs. Musson. In fact, the partnership recently completed research on the business community to determine the nature and extent of how the business sector is currently involved with schools. "We also wanted to get an indication of their interest in future involvement with schools,'' said Mrs. Musson. "We have finished surveying the business community but we are now in the process of reviewing our findings. "Then we'll make strategic plans in terms of how to meet our mission. "The schools were surveyed as well,'' added Mrs. Musson. "We asked them about their needs regarding being a part of or working with the business community. "But we haven't heard from all of the schools yet so we will pursue this further,'' she said, adding that the results of the business/education partnership's findings can not yet be publicly reported.