An overseas educational programme for Bermudians is set to enjoy a 70 percent success record for its inaugural class.

And International Strategic Management Ltd. president Michael Stowe and National Training Board chairman Paget Wharton last week heaped praise upon two local firms who were the first to contribute to the Edu-Tech Managed Technical Training programme at J.F. Drake State Technical College in Huntsville, Alabama.

Fifteen students are enrolled in the programme which Mr. Stowe's firm designed to provide technical training in a managed environment that emphasises life skills.

Mr. Stowe said the students's efforts showed they realised the contributions that were being made on their behalf by local businesses.

Seventy percent of the inaugural class of 15 are set to pass the course outright with the other participants receiving extra academic training to help them succeed.

Mr. Wharton said he was pleased that the programme was meeting the needs of young Bermudians by providing meaningful technical careers.

"Young Bermudians are interested in receiving technical and vocational training and they deserve our support and encouragement.'' The National Training Board will be throwing up to $60,000 behind the project next year when another 15 students are set to enrol, he revealed.

"Perhaps we will be able to better that 70 percent success rate,'' he noted.

"We expect some failures but if we can even get one or two who succeed then we have won.'' While the National Training Board planned to assist and lead the way in the important endeavour, he continued, it also wished to recognise the contributions and support of local businesses.

And yesterday Bermuda Taxi Operators Co. Ltd. and Telecom were presented with the Edu-Tech Business in Support of Technical Education and the Edu-Tech Industry in Support of Technical Education Awards respectively.

Mr. Wharton praised BTOC, the first business to contribute to the programme, "for being a joint contributor with the Ministry of Health and Social Services by providing funding to establish the personal counselling programme and the services of the consultant psychologist for the first year''.

He noted that BTOC had pledged further support to the programme through a merit tuition grant to student Eugene Christopher who is studying Industrial Electrical Technology.

Mr. Wharton recognised Telecom for providing funding to cover student Kenneth Butterfield's tuition and living expenses.

"Telecom is the first industry to contribute to the programme by placing a student overseas for technical career training.'' Mr. Butterfield is studying for an Associate of Applied Technology degree in Industrial Electronics Technology.

"Through the efforts of Telecom,'' noted Mr. Wharton, "Kenneth will receive practical experience in telecommunications with Huntsville Radio, a Motorola Communications distributor.'' Mr. Wharton stressed that the involvement of Telecom and BTOC in the project would send a signal to other employers who wanted to get on board.

BTOC treasurer Robert Holdipp said the firm was pleased to be investing in Bermuda's future and noted that every firm, no matter how big or small, had a part to play.

Telecom president Charles Marshall agreed and noted that training was key to any businesses success because of the rapid advancements being made in the field. It was in Bermudian companies' best interests to keep their people up to date in these advances, he added.

Mr. Stowe also called on Government to offer the retail sector relief so it could get involved in the training of Bermudians.

"It is very costly to operate a business in Bermuda and whatever can be done to stimulate the retail sector is vital,'' he said.

This applied to the public also, he continued, who needed to show their support for the local economy by shopping in Bermuda instead of spending money overseas.

This support of the retail sector would boost jobs for young Bermudians and develop opportunities for them as well, he said.

SUCCESSFUL PARTNERSHIP -- National Training Board chairman Paget Wharton (far left) and International Strategic Management Ltd. president Michael Stowe (far right) thank Telecom president Charles Marshall (centre left) and Bermuda Taxi Operators Co. Ltd. treasurer Robert Holdipp (centre right) for their part in the success of the Edu-Tech programme.