Washington D.C. have joined forces to bring a "Diversity Skills Development Programme'' to the Island.

A Press conference on the programme, which is expected to begin this summer, will be held at the college this afternoon.

Dr. Argentine Craig -- the leader of the joint team of trainers from NTL and the college -- will provide an insight into the aims and objectives of the programme.

In a Press statement issued last week the college explained that the programme was aimed at enhancing social harmony, the quality of relationships, and productivity and efficiency in the workplace.

Specifically, the college noted, the purposes of the programme were to: enable people to learn about the diversity within themselves and society; examine how these diversities have been managed in the past; explore new and improved ways of understanding diversity and of honouring commonalities; learn how diversity can either hinder or support individual and organisational growth; create a pool of qualified people with the skills to facilitate diverse activities and manage diverse programmes in work places and institutions; and enable Bermuda's institutions to manage future diversity training programmes.

Each offering of the programme can accommodate 30 "highly motivated individuals'' who will accept future leadership roles, the college also noted.

There will be a total of 20 days of workshop spread over a number of modules.

The cost for each participant for the 20-day workshop, all instructional materials and support services, will be $800.

A joint certificate from the college and NTL Institute will be awarded to those who successfully complete the programme.