Bermudian hotel staff, it has been claimed.

But the PLP has vowed to get the landmark resort back on line and re-establish it as a base for Bermudians to get their first taste of the hospitality industry.

Announcing his intention at his introduction as the new chairman of the board of Works and Engineering, Ottiwell Simmons said he wanted to get it back to what it once was.

But that also meant encouraging Bermudians to rekindle their interest in tourism as a career.

"Stonington has lost its way as a training centre,'' he said. "It was originally set up to train hotel workers and management, that was the purpose for which it was built.'' Mr. Simmons said the work would encompass his role on the National Training Board.

He stressed the situation at the hotel was not hopeless but needed looking at -- and he added it did not mean that foreign workers would be excluded.

Mr. Simmons was speaking as Works and Engineering Minister Alex Scott announced the make-up of the Works and Engineering Board. Mr. Simmons is to chair the board, with veteran PLP MP Stanley Morton as deputy. Also on the board are Richard Lynch, Cecil Durham, Lloyd Telford, Robert Trew, Peta Lewin, Diana Antonition, Graeme Outerbridge, Richard Powell and Delmon Talbot Jr.

Minister Scott said one of the main things the board would be concentrating on was the training of Bermudians into the Works and Engineering department.

There are already 19 gaining experience overseas and Mr. Simmons said he intended to encourage more Bermudians into positions such as architects, surveyors, engineers and tradesmen.

In addition the board will focus on the twice weekly rubbish collections, which are due to start by the end of March and the state of the Island's roads.

Ottiwell Simmons