Technical students could be better trained in Bermuda than on costly overseas courses, the Opposition alleged in the House this week.said the Government should spend money on developing programmes at Bermuda College for the Island?s future workforce, as opposed to sending young people abroad.

He said some 350 technical students had gone overseas to gain their qualifications in the last year, adding that it cost four times as much to pay for them as for those on academic courses. ?What role will Bermuda College play in the provision of programmes?? he asked. ?Is there any discussion about developing these courses here?

?We are at a breaking point where in fact it makes a lot more sense for us to invest in developing our own infrastructure where we can train our students.?

Mr. Darrell said the Government?s National Training Board (NTB) had done an ?outstanding? job in sending technical students overseas, but that it needed to focus more on providing opportunities for training on the Island.

He also asked that if the Government had a national Workforce Development Plan it be shown to the House.said that the NTB was dealing with skills training for older students but that technical education programmes should really be improved in schools.

?I?m not satisfied or persuaded that enough is being done for the students at CedarBridge,? he said. said the overseas courses which the NTB offered financial assistance for were useful in helping some students to ?grow up?. ?Sometimes it?s about helping the student. So although we can do it here, it?s better for that child to be off the Island,? he said. ?We support that where it?s necessary.?

He invited Mr. Burgess to visit the technical programmes being taught at CedarBridge Academy. ?I think if he goes and takes a good look, he?ll come back and give a good report.?