Fourteen men recently obtained their certifications in seamanship from the National Training Board and Samuel Jackman Prescod Polytechnic in Barbados this week.

It was the first time this qualification has been offered to Bermudians through the Polytechnic, and the school?s chairman Joseph Tudor called the new programme an amazing success.

The partnership between the NTB and the school began a year ago with the support of the Ministry of Education and saw Chief Petty Officer Adrian Stout of Barbados come to Bermuda to help implement and teach the programme.

The men, all employees of Marine and Ports, began the course in February and were taught about weather, nautical terms, chart work and fire fighting.

The course offered in Bermuda was an introductory course, while the campus in Barbados offers an advanced course, which five Bermudians are attending.

Minister of Education Terry Lister awarded the certificates to the young men last Tuesday.

He said Government places a high value on technical training.

People are currently being sent to Alberta, Nova Scotia, Florida, Alabama and Barbados for training, Minister Lister noted.

?Where we find a good programme we?ll work with them,? he said, adding that many of Bermuda?s jobs require technical skills.