Wannabe electricians, masons, carpenters and mechanics had a chance to find out all about their future professions at the final Bermuda College Downtown Recruit Information Session at the Chamber of Commerce yesterday.

The 'Hands-On Smarts' session focused on the College's Division of Applied Science and Technology programmes and gave tradesmen the latest updates from the National Training Board (NTB) on standardisation.

Approximately six members of the public attended the session, five non-traditional and one traditional (under the age of 21) prospective students. Two audience members were from the industry and were there to get information for their staff, many of which are currently enrolled in apprenticeship programmes or a Bermuda College programme.

Pandora Glasford, CEO of the NTB, kicked-off the event was a speech about the apprenticeship programme, educational funding and industry standardisation, as well as the benefits of having standards to ensure that all tradesmen are qualified to give the best service. She said that individuals who were already in trades would have to go before a board for testing to confirm that they are up to par with the standards, including automotive service technicians and electrical wiring.

Mrs. also Glasford talked about the educational funding component of NTB, pointing out that anyone interested in a trade beyond what courses at Bermuda College offer may be eligible for assistance.

Llewellyn Trott then spoke on the eight programmes under the Applied Science and Technology Division, ranging from Masonry Technology, Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning, Electrical Wiring Technology and Motor Vehicle Technology to Electrical Wiring Technology, Wood Technology and Welding Technology.

One man in the audience said that he attended the College years ago to study Electrical Wiring and asked whether there were evening courses for individuals interested in a trade. Mr. Trott confirmed that the NCCER core courses, which are mandatory for all of the Tech programmes, were offered as an evening course.

For further information about the courses at Bermuda College, contact Cha'Von Clarke, recruitment officer, on 239-4099 or e-mail cclarke@college.bm