A national standard of excellence for hospitality workers, which would provide a service bonus for employers, staff and tourists, could begin to take shape by next season.

Investment in human capital has been a main thrust of plans to revitalise the Island's flagging tourism industry and there is hope that a single scheme could bring all training under one umbrella.

The National Training Board (NTB) is at the heart of the move, and together with the Bermuda College and its hotel training school Stonington, it hopes to come up with a unified programme for all employees.

NTB consultant Terry Bond said he believed the plan could help deter young people from abandoning hospitality as a career for more profitable jobs.

"It could happen fairly quickly. Bermuda College is already running some programmes which arequite well subscribed,'' he said.

"But one of the old problems is trying to retain students as they see more lucrative jobs elsewhere. We are trying to encourage them into the hospitality sector -- to see it as a career, not just a job.

"By having national standards, internationally recognised qualifications, it means young people can stick with it. And with certification, people will know it means something.'' The NTB want to bring in a uniform standard which, if hotels are cooperative, would provide all employees with the chance to train.

As many accommodations have their own training schemes, it would also allow for recognition of those qualifications under national accreditation.

Different positions within the industry are assessed, providing a benchmark for training, and each individual is appraised so they reach the level required by the NTB.

"It is a lengthy process and there are only so many opportunities to work with the properties. Once the season starts, training has to go on the back burner, apart from the normal in-house courses,'' said Mr. Bond.

As well as giving employees better, more marketable skills, it allows prospective employers to rest assured that the person they are hiring has reached a minimum standard.

Mr. Bond said he is hoping that by next year, the scheme will be advanced enough to allow the first employees to be enrolled.

And Leon O'Brien, consultant to the Government-run Stonington Beach Hotel, said he sees an expanded role for the accommodation and Bermuda College.

In addition, he said he sees scope for partnership with hotel chains such as Fairmont, possibly utilising the best parts of their own in-house training schemes.