A team of 17 welders helped to ensure their own safety at work as well as quality craftsmanship when they completed a rigorous training programme.

At a ceremony on Monday, the group was presented with welder ID cards and national certification certificates after a practical assessment administered by the Canadian Welding Bureau.

Jason Hayward, the Minister of Economy and Labour, congratulated the team for their dedication and hard work.

He said: “This ceremony marks a milestone in our journey towards a more formalised and standardised approach to training and certifying welders under the National Occupation Certification Act of 2004.

“Under the purview of the Welding Occupational Advisory Committee, comprised of industry experts, we have established standard requirements for national safety training across all construction-related jobs, which ensures not only the safety of our workers but also a quality of craftsmanship that Bermuda can be proud of.”

The minister applauded the work of Jibreel Talbot, a Canadian Welding Bureau inspector, for his “invaluable contributions”.

Mr Hayward said: “His efforts have propelled the welding national certification assessment process forward, paving the way for a brighter future for welders in Bermuda.”

The 17 welders who completed the course are: Richardo Rampersad; Larry Leroy Robinson; Maki Harim Bean; Kieran Eugene Evans; Ricky James Foggo; Lancelot Gregory Furbert; Vanell Jason Ingham; Miguel Anthony Lopes; Anderson Cameron Bancroft; Tristan Ladnio; Keil Dela Vega; James Almadin; Winston Herbert Trott Jr; Jason Bueno; Charles Edward Maree II; Trevor Andrew Haynes; and David Matthew Henderson.