Bermudian electrical engineers are set to get a boost after the National Training Board (NTB) teamed up with Penn Foster College in the US to provide the Associate of Science Degree in Electrical Engineering Technology (EET).

The degree programme will be provided on a distance-learning basis for qualified Bermudians who may otherwise find it difficult to attend normal class schedules.

"We partnered with Penn Foster due to their excellent track record of providing proven distance learning programmes," said Michael Stowe, executive officer of the NTB.

"We've realised that incumbent technical workers seeking qualifications or further training are confronted with various challenges ranging from time constraints, financial, human and facility limitations and personal or family circumstances. These factors often make traditional class room based education impractical and this partnership allows us to address such challenges.

"It is possible to overcome such constraints and prohibitive factors by using authoritative curricula, such as the one provided by Penn Foster College. It is an industry centered approach with extensive support through the provision of relevant tools and techniques for successful completion of the degree programme."

The partnership will use a distance education platform for the Associate of Science Degree in EET for its test project.

The four semester programme will see trainees fulfill a resident lab requirement by completing a three-credit course in the fourth semester at Pennsylvania State University.

Technical worker trainees enrolled in the distance technical education EET programme will receive instructional guidance and learning support from electrical engineers in their capacity as Technical Education Facilitators, who will provide guidance, assistance and encouragement to the trainees.

As a result, the technical trainees will acquire theoretical knowledge and applied skill competence plus acceptable rates of progress and achievement.

The programme is scheduled to start in September 2008 and anyone interested can visit the NTB's Brown Brangman Building at 100 Reid Street or call 292-3700 for more information.