Sir John Swan said on Tuesday.

He was speaking at the unveiling of the new Belco training centre on Serpentine Road. The building was converted from offices into training workshops and labs.

Sir John said Belco had spoiled Bermudians with top service found on few islands -- an achievement made possible by the company's superior training.

The Premier said Belco's younger staff were "the doers of the company''. He commended Belco for its training programme.

Mr. Alf Oughton, Belco's president and chief executive officer, said one of the company's top priorities was to train Bermudians.

He said the reasons for the publicised opening were to show off the facility and "to show what can be achieved by Bermudian youth.'' Mr. Oughton attributed success in the programme to Belco staff trainers such as Mr. Geoffrey Yeomans and Mr. Richard Spurling. He also said parental support of apprentices and York College in England, where the second stage of training takes place, were also critical to the programme's success.

He said the training scheme involved a six-week, in-house apprenticeship in trades and a 46-week course at York College. Apprentices achieve the City & Guilds of London Institute Certificate in Basic Engineering in both electrical and mechanical skills -- all while earning Belco paycheques.

The rest of the programme is conducted in-house in Bermuda apart from experience-gaining stints overseas, Mr. Oughton said.

SHOW ME HOW IT'S DONE -- Premier the Hon. Sir John Swan watches as Belco trainee Mr. Joshua Simons operates a finisher in a Belco training workshop opened on Tuesday.