Welders, electricians and mechanics will all have to meet new standards of competence under laws debated in the House of Assembly.

Under the National Occupational Certification Regulations 2008, an advisory committee will be set up to ensure workers have the right technical skills and knowledge of their trade.

On Friday night, Junior Minister of Labour Walter Roban read out the draft regulations of the Act, as well as mentioning specific regulations for welders, electricians and mechanics. Regulations covering other trades are expected to follow.

It is an extension of the National Occupational Certification Act 2004, which requires workers to report to the National Training Board or face a heavy fine.

Mr. Roban said Government takes all necessary measures to ensure good practice in workplaces, and reduce the risk of physical harm to workers through improper use of materials.

He described it as an "unfortunate state of affairs" that historically workers had not been able to get a certificate for apprenticeship schemes.

Former Opposition Leader Grant Gibbons said the history of the new legislation dated back to 1997, when the NTB was introduced.

"This has been a long time coming, because there was at that point a fair degree of enthusiasm in the industry to move forward with these things," said Dr. Gibbons.

He also asked whether the right "nuts and bolts" were in place to support the regulations when they are introduced.

United Bermuda Party MP Darius Tucker, a carpenter, applauded the move to certify workers by trade.

But he warned: "The minute their boss tells them they have to take a class, we lose potential talent. What I'm suggesting is that young people go ahead and learn their trade. Once they build confidence...then we find ways of getting them certified."

Shadow Works Minister Patricia Gordon-Pamplin said: "This legislation will assist the consumer in being protected against the kind of rip-off artists that one has been subjected to."