Their two-week course is part of Government's five-year commitment to resurface miles of roads. This year it plans to spend $1.8 million on resurfacing, $1 million more than last year.

This week Works and Engineering Minister the Hon. Leonard Gibbons said he was delighted about the programme which will help upgrade worker skills in handling some of the newer road-paving equipment.

The training is free though travel and lodging expenses will cost about $2,500 a person.

"We are trying to give them more experience in the new techniques,'' the Minister said. "It's important that we spend money to improve their skills but that money will never be wasted.'' Mr. Marshall Minors, principal highways engineer, said that the men would be exposed to both the theoretical and practical aspects during the two-week course starting April 16.

"We have some 10 miles of road to resurface,'' he said. "Many of these guys have experience but they need to get formal training.

"During the first week they will work with the manufacturer of the paving machine and milling machine, but during the second week they will get more hands on experience with the equipment.

"This is all part of our new approach to industrial training where we ensure that they get an understanding of how the equipment operates.'' Site foreman Mr. Reginald Codrington who has worked with the department for 13 years said he was looking forward to the opportunity to learn more about the more technical aspects of his job.

"Before I started working with this crew I was on the patching crew, where we would patch pot holes,'' he said.

"With this new job I have more responsibilities so it is important that I get familiar with the machines.

"I am glad they have the programme, but this is something we should have had a long time ago.'' OFF TO SCHOOL -- Works and Engineering Minister the Hon. Leonard Gibbons (left) poses with Mr. Andre Godfrey, one of the 13 workers going away at the end of this week to learn more about the new road-paving equipment currently being used.