greatest challenges faced by the College today, according to president George Cook. It is quite a tall order, he admits, but one which he believes must be met in order to serve the public well. "We are probably the most comprehensive institute in Bermuda,'' he said, "necessarily so, because we have to do within the confines of this establishment, what in other jurisdictions is probably done by two, three or four different institutions.

And because we don't specialise, we have to do everything, which is sometimes difficult. It's a pretty impressive mandate.'' And the College, he said, is working to see that that mandate is continually met. "We provide virtually everything Bermuda requires but just because we offer a programme doesn't mean a student will do it. The facilities must be excellent, the staff has to be excellent and the programme has to be excellent. We must see, and have objectives which we aspire to, and students must recognise career paths and employment opportunities. There is also a need for certification. And they all come together as part of a mutual support system.'' Despite its relatively small size, the College provides a number of opportunities, said Dr. Cook.

"We have to provide not only the programmes that this society demands, but those which will help us support the standard of living we have and the sophistication of our society. The College also has to provide people with a means to get there and what we provide is tremendous, in the sense that a community of this size can provide that degree of opportunity. "We're like a crossroads here. Students come to us from all different backgrounds and go on to different directions -- to the States, to Canada, to the UK and some to the Caribbean. We provide is time to make a decision about what to do with themselves -- where to go from here. We help them answer `What's best for me and how am I going to get there?' We put them in a position where they can look out on the world and make very good choices on where to go. "And there's absolutely no doubt about the excellence of the facility. They learn how to negotiate the demands of college existence, how to read a textbook, use a library, do basic research, produce essays, use a computer and the Internet all before they leave here. And they do it in a safe and secure environment with the support of their families. They're close to home. They're not in an environment where they are having to make decisions without someone to turn to.'' Dr. Cook said the College helps not only those just out of secondary school, but also the entire adult population; those who need to come back and upgrade their skills. "People come because by upgrading their skills, it means upwards mobility. It can assist them in their work and in achieving their goals, whatever they may be. The work situation is changing so rapidly that people need to continually retrain and redevelop themselves.'' Dr. Cook highlighted two new buildings at the college, including the Technical Education Centre, which are helping people meet such goals. Spread over 22,000 square feet, the Centre houses seven workshops and laboratories and is fitted with such state-of-the-art equipment as a vehicle spray booth. "We must banish the concept that technical careers are for dummies: skilled people must use their hands and their heads. "Students must possess a good general education: they must be able to read manuals and use the equipment and computers.'' Employers, said Dr. Cook, have become involved in technical education through Advisory Groups, setting up programmes to support Bermuda's employment standards. "The key issue, however, is the establishment of enforceable employment standards and the certification of skilled technical people. "The TEC may have the most up-to-date facilities and equipment. The faculty may be excellent. The programmes may be at the cutting edge of modern instructional methods. However, they will be of little account if there are no requirements to meet defined employment standards: there will be little incentive either for students to enter and complete the programmes or for employers to ensure that their employees are properly trained.'' It must also provide a means by which students finishing secondary school without all the necessary prerequisites for entry into the Associate Degree programme, can receive assistance. "We have to have a stepladder programme for those who want assistance into entering the programme, but are without the general background that can help them get that. Our General Studies certificate programme is one principal means of providing that. It enables students who are marginally unqualified for outright admission to the associate degree to get on and do the programme want to do. What we don't have, is a programme for basic skills and we're working on that right now. We want one that is especially designed and tailored for students who come out of system with standards of achievement not sufficient to get into any programme that we offer. "But we have to continue our dialogue with schools. All academic regulations are determined by representation from the school system and the Ministry of Education body and those teaching in each individual subject area.

So we've got to make sure, that the transition (from secondary school to the College and from the College into the workforce), is as smooth as possible.

And that means working with the school system and with the employers; discussing what the needs are in the employment world today.'' As such, Dr.

Cook said the College role could be interpreted as being a broad one. "Many don't know off all that we do. We see our role as broadly based. It's based on the needs of the students and the needs of the community and there's a continual interplay with us as national centre of higher and further education. We have to be a leader in helping develop the pursuit of excellence, but we also must be responsive to what the community is demanding and what its' expectations are. It's a push/pull relationship with the community. "Our (curriculum) has to be actively-based on the needs of all students -- full-time, part-time, and mature, and be consistent with the needs of a community with international interests.'' PHOTO George Cook MINI SUPPLEMENT SUP