enrolling in the Bermuda College, administrators announced yesterday.

Chairman of the College's Board of Governors Randolph Horton and College President George Cook both also applauded a dramatic increase in the number of men entering the College this autumn and said it was the result of a new programme encouraging technical education in partnership with the National Training Board.

The number of men attending the Bermuda College this year has increased by 44 percent from 231 in 1999 to 332 in the Fall 2000 semester.

The Faculty of Applied Science and Technology has seen an increase of 148 percent or 98 new students, a direct result of the provision of training in skilled trades to international certification.

This year there are 737 people enrolled in full-time studies compared to 626 last year with a total enrolment of 1737.

"We are pleased to see that a greater number of people are taking advantage of the programmes at the Bermuda College,'' Mr. Horton said. "We are particularly encouraged to see that male enrolment figures are on the rise.

"It is an ongoing goal of the College to offer programmes that meet the needs of the local community in a real and practical way,'' he added.

"Whether it be initial training for a career, retraining for a new career, or sharpening your skills to keep up with technology and Bermuda's changing needs, we want to ensure that the Bermuda College is providing what the community requires, and increased enrolment figures are an indication we are achieving this.'' Dr. Cook said: "The college has experienced growth which is very pleasing indeed for our personnel who have worked hard to achieve the College's mission in the community.

"The dramatic increase in male enrolment is the result of modularization of our technical programmes and our close partnership with the National Training Board,'' he explained.

"As the lead provider of training to the NTB, we are seeing more people in the skilled trades coming to the Bermuda College on a work release basis and working their way toward technical qualifications that are of international standing.''