Moves to banish "cowboy" operators in Bermuda by ensuring all tradesmen and women are properly certified and licensed has been highlighted as a Government priority.

Following reported concerns of the president of the Construction Association of Bermuda Alex DeCouto about the state of training and certifying of trade industry on the Island, an assurance has been given that a licensing body will swing into action at the start of 2007.

And Government has been working behind-the-scenes for the past year and a half to bring the Island in line with other countries regarding certifying and regulating tradespeople.

"We are in the process of considering potential members to serve on the Licensing Authority Task Force and there will be an announcement of the task force in January," said Community and Cultural Affairs Minister Wayne Perinchief.

The task force is the result of a May 2005 review by the consumer affairs board sub-committee that looked into the Island's trade and automotive industries and reviewed the practices of licensing authorities overseas.

According to Mr. Perinchief it was found there was great support for the setting up of a licensing authority in Bermuda for those in the trade industries and for consumers.

The report was submitted in April this year to the minister responsible recommending a task force be set up to develop a comprehensive model for trade licensing in Bermuda along with the relevant legislation.

Mr. Perinchief said Government supported this idea and had since set to work setting up the task force.