Evolving career trends are forcing Bermuda's adults to upgrade their skills through continuing education and training programmes.

Dannie Lee Davis, a 28-year-old graduate with Merit with an Associate Degree in geriatric aide, said: "It is never too late. I was working at St.

Brendan's Hospital in housekeeping, watching the nurses as they worked with the patients, I would say `I can do that'.

"I decided to take some courses at Bermuda College,'' she said. "I wanted to help others. Now I'm a nurse's assistant. It really opened my eyes. I learned how the elderly should be treated.'' Bermuda College director for Adult and Continuing Education Eugenie Simmons said five percent of the work force is taking adult education courses. In a recent survey, students at Bermuda College fell into these categories: 20 percent were aged 18-29 years, 42 percent 30-45 years old, 27 percent 46-55 years and ten percent were 50-plus.

"Over 80 percent of Bermudians are familiar with the programmes we offer,'' Ms Simmons said. "We define mature students as 21 years old and over.'' Of the student body of 600 full-time students, 200 are adult students.

The changing face of technology demands a career upgrade.

Adults are finding they need new and varied skills to compete.

"Bermudians are taking on more than one career,'' Ms Simmons noted. "They are changing careers midstream. Changing times have brought new parameters in the job market. People are finding what they learned in college is now obsolete. These adult night school students compose the largest number of students each year.'' "There is a demand for more professional development as well as information technology courses,'' she added. "The trend toward careers in banking, trust and insurance is forcing people to advance their skills in new directions to better adapt.

"Bermudians are setting up `virtual offices' and becoming entrepreneurs. They are finding they can have their home base anywhere and interact with clients from around the world.'' Education does not have to stop at age 21 anymore, Ms Simmons stressed, noting that learning is a lifelong process.

The college also offers courses for senior citizens, Ms Simmons said.

Anyone 55-years-old and older is eligible for the Senior Learning Programme.

In the programme seniors are offered courses in such diverse subjects as learning about the Internet, computer technology and flower arrangement.

"We have travel learning programmes which allow the senior to travel to other countries and learn about other cultures,'' Ms Simmons said.

Coordinator of the Community Education & Development Programme Pat Chapman agreed that there are advantages to adult education.

Mature individuals -- those between 35 and 60 -- in the programme are usually interested in activities such as Arts & Crafts, music, dance & theatre, consumer awareness & home maintenance, health & fitness, and food & home economics.

Ms Chapman noted that they also take "vocational, technical and industrial'' courses as well as computer courses, self-improvement and enrichment courses.

"They come from all walks of life,'' Ms Chapman said. "From clerical, labourers and housewives to professionals, administrators and management. The strongest motivation they have in taking these courses is fun, self-esteem, fellowship and trying something new.

"Some take the courses for career-related purposes and a chance for personal growth.'' "In an effort to meet these needs, it is our job to assist in the development of facilities, courses, workshops, seminars, programmes, school and business partnerships and staffing by maximising the utilisation of all resources, human and material,'' Ms Chapman added. "Community involvement is the key to meeting the social, mental, physical, personal growth and spiritual needs of mature individuals.

"On the eve of the 21st century, we are taking strides toward a way of lifelong living and learning.'' Thirty-nine-year-old June Butterfield, a regular student at C.E.D.P., agreed.

"We mainly do the courses for fun,'' she said. "We usually go every term.

It's a girl's night out. It's good for the soul. You get to meet new people.'' Ms Butterfield admitted that many locals were not taking advantage of the courses.

"It's crazy!'' she exclaimed. "More foreigners are taking advantage of these courses and benefiting from them.'' When asked what courses she had taken, she said: "I've taken cake decoration, Italian & Chinese cooking, crafts, etc. I can make a good egg roll and decorate a cake fairly well. There's always something new to learn.

"You always have a good time. This term I plan to take sign language. I am going to take my daughter. There are tremendous opportunities for children to learn from these programmes. I recommend it to everyone.'' Allan Simmons was another satisfied student.

The member of the 65-plus group said: "I have a computer, so I mainly take computer courses to improve my skills. I am doing this so I can be more efficient on the computer.

"There are so many areas to learn about the computer. I always find something new to learn. I try to go every term.'' Mr. Simmons can attest to the success of adult learning.

"I can say that it has benefited me greatly,'' he said.

Back to schoo: Computer whizz-kid Alan Simmons is enjoying the challenge of learning throught the Community Education and Development Programme.