outreach programmes to help Bermudians struggling with the three Rs.

Too many people are struggling with reading, writing and arithmetic, according to the former Cabinet Minister.

And he used a keynote speech to an international conference at the Bermuda College on Saturday to stress that the problem even stretched into offices and hotels.

Government Whip Mr. Edness, speaking at the Community Action Now conference, said more projects needed to operate inside the workplace.

Addressing Bermuda's community education leaders and overseas delegates, he said: "I believe the time has come for community education to have an outreach element in it.

"I'm suggesting that some of our programmes should go out and be taught in the workplace.

"The problem we have in Bermuda in the workplace is two-fold. We are still finding too many people in the workplace lacking in numeracy and literacy skills. This creates great frustration for many persons who have difficulty advancing in employment -- and worse, holding onto a job.'' Mr. Edness, installed as the first Minister for Youth, Sport and Community Affairs following the 1977 riots, said: "There was considerable concern over the numbers of young people who were leaving school at age 16 and had not gained the proper skills to equip them to compete for the jobs available.

"It was also recognised that there were significant numbers of people in the community who would like an opportunity to upgrade their skills or a chance to develop new skills or to simply pursue a hobby.'' A team of six officials went to the US to learn about community education programmes, and returned to Bermuda to start the Island's first scheme at Warwick Secondary School.

And Mr. Edness, who lost his post as Home Affairs Minister in this year's Cabinet reshuffle, said more than 52,000 people had now taken part in community learning courses all over Bermuda.

CedarBridge Academy would be the next school to start a community education programme, he added.

But he said: "I believe there is a strong case for community education to work with employers and the National Training Board to help employees to upgrade their skills generally -- but particularly their numeracy and literacy skills. This is very much a problem in the hospitality industry but also in other areas of employment as well.''