All it takes is a little initiative and if you want to be something you can, according to former National Training Board Director Michael Stowe.

Young male Bermudians have been the focus of much negative attention lately, but, Mr. Stowe, who has been helping Bermudians get a technical education for years, is doing his part to show that there is a lot of potential on this Island.

Now, two of his latest students, Rodney Smith, 20, and Richo James, 19, are the most recent in a long line of Bermudians who Mr. Stowe has helped enroll at Drake State Technical College in Huntsville, Alabama.

The two-year college provides training in a broad range of technical fields including Automotive Technology and Information Technology, the courses which Richo and Rodney are taking respectively.

Having only started at the college in September, Richo and Rodney are still taking preliminary courses, but they have big plans for the future.

"The course will cover everything to do with a car but right now we are concentrating on the steering wheel and the brakes," said Richo.

"There will always be well paying jobs in the technical field. It is something that there is a constant demand for especially with automotives, people will always need cars.

"I thought it would be the best route to take to have the life that I am looking for."

Richo added: "There is a lot of hands-on -earning at Drake. You learn a lot and they teach it to you in a way that you can understand."

As a child Rodney became interested in information technology after taking a summer course where he learned how to build a computer from scratch and how to properly install operating systems and software.

"I want to become the best IT professional that I can be," said Rodney. "And IT is another field that will always be relevant and growing. Ten years ago you would have never thought that we would have technology like we do today.

"Imagine what it will be like ten years from now the possibilities are endless.

"At Drake we get hands-on access to the latest technologies and learn from teachers who have worked in the field."

And hands-on learning is something that Mr. Stowe believes in. He has been helping Bermudians get the technical training that they need for decades.

"This is an opportunity for many Bermudians," added Rodney. "You can go out there and just get a regular job or you can work at it and do something that you love."

According to Mr. Stowe, there are only a few prerequisites to getting his help character, intent, ability and potential.

Also, with Mr. Stowe's help, Richo and Rodney are already meeting with local employers in their respective fields.

"These young men will not be wandering the street looking for a job when they graduate," said Mr. Stowe. "They will either be first-rate technicians with a first-rate company or they will have the prospect of going into business for themselves.

"These gentlemen, I think, are going to make Bermuda extremely proud."