More than 150 business delegates are to attend a special anniversary seminar hosted by a major work counselling organisation.

The Employment Assistance Programme celebrates its tenth anniversary today with a three-hour AGM seminar at the Hamilton Princess Hotel.

The EAP consortium, which offers a range of counselling services to 170 companies, has invited government ministers, union officials, personnel managers and senior business people to the event beginning at 9 a.m.

Speakers Brian O'Malley and Barbara Stoker will encourage delegates to talk about how they can achieve their own ambitions in a workshop on "Intelligent Risk Taking''.

Mr. O'Malley, a former firefighter and police SWAT team member, will present a slide show on his experiences of climbing Mount Everest.

And he said: "We will then ask the guests how they might consider climbing the mountains in their own lives.'' The seminar will encourage guests to consider taking their own risks by facing their fears and enjoying adventures.

The aim of the AGM is to get the Island's company bosses and business leaders to think positively about approaching their own goals.

Ms Stoker said: "Then we would hope there would be a trickle-down effect to the workforce.

"The people coming to the seminar are top business people and the decisions they take affect a lot of people.

"We hope that by thinking about their own approach to their dreams, they can help other people achieve their aspirations.'' EAP executive director Deborah Carr said: "We are a work-based benefit for employees and our organisation covers more than 30,000 individuals.

"We talk to people about any off-the-job problems they may have. People may be stressed or worried about relationships or financial issues.

"They can ring us directly to set up a meeting or be referred by their managers. Either way, we provide a confidential service.

"Hopefully the seminar at the Hamilton Princess will help even more people understand what we are about.'' Anybody interested in EAP services is urged to call the Ring for Help 24-hour telephone service on 292-9000.