Education Minister Terry Lister announced ten new training programmes introduced by the National Training Board (NTB) in the House of Assembly.

The ten new training programmes are: dining room service, elevator technician, hairdressing, heavy equipment technician, marine transportation (pilot, engineer/technician, seaman), welding, motor cycle technician, major appliance technician, administrative and business support and heavy equipment operator. The NTB announced the plan in the Official Government Gazette on July 2, 2004, he said.

And training has already begun for many of these occupations, he said. In 2003, the Bermuda College was given funds by the NTB for 13 Bermudians to receive its Federation of Dining Room Professionals certificates. ?Training planning in marine transportation began two years ago,? Mr. Lister said.

Director of NTB, Michael Stowe and Director of Marine & Ports, Francis Richardson, ?jointly developed the standards for marine operators by meeting with marine operations training vessels,? in Barbados, he said.

He said that these ten new training programmes were ?part of a continuous process? as over 60 occupations were already in place. In June 2002, 11 new training programmes were established.

He told the House that ?each year Bermuda?s technical infrastructure increases in size and with technological complexity?.

?Greater demands are being placed on our buildings, roads, waterways, bridges, airport, marine ports and telecommunications, fuel, fresh water and electrical supply systems. Technical expertise is required to install, maintain and repair multifaceted elements of our infrastructure. The NTB is responsible for ensuring an adequate supply of trained manpower to meet this challenge,? he said.