Some of the Island's building contractors were presented with their certificates by acting Finance Minister Michael Scott and the Bermuda Small Business Development Corporation (BSBDC) after successfully completing the fifth Small Business Construction Incubator (SBCI) Class.

The graduates were welcomed to the three-and-a-half hour event by BSBDC chairman Larry Mussenden, and listened as course facilitator Richard James summarised the 16-week programme.

One of the graduates, Robin Monroe, admitted he was sceptical about what benefits the programme would provide him, but on completion he said he had got a lot out of the course, citing his increased exposure to more networking opportunities and Mr. James' ability to relay the information into real life practical terms as the best parts of the programme.

Another graduate, Larry Packwood, encouraged his fellow graduates to continue to strive for greatness, using the resources that the SBCI has equipped them with. Other graduates included Messrs. Judson Williams, James Tyrrell, Durward Cann, Earlston Tucker, Mark Roberts, Jermaine Caines, Naeem Holdipp, Gladwin Harvey, Andre Smith, Mandel Outerbridge, Richard Brangman and Karim Fareed.

Programme director Lucrecia Ming noted that the SBCI utilises an international curriculum from the NCCER, which is used by the National Training Board and the Bermuda College, and encouraged graduates to get their colleagues to register for the last class scheduled to start later this year with 16 places up for grabs. The SBCI is a BSBDC initiative created to strengthen the leadership and business acumen of Bermuda's small construction-related businesses.

For more information, contact Lucrecia Ming at lming@gov.bm or visit www.bsbdc.bm

l Entrepreneurs and small businesses will be able to find out what benefits are on offer to them at the official opening of the Economic Empowerment Zones Office in North East Hamilton today.

The open house, which is being held at 38 Union Street by the Bermuda Small Business Development Corporation and the Economic Empowerment Zone (EEZ), will enable stakeholders and interested parties to tour the Agency's offices in the heart of the EEZ.

To book your place at the event or for more information contact 296-4339 or e-mail ersmith@gov.bm

l How to become an entrepreneur will be the focus for a seminar hosted by Showoff Magazine in the Cedarpark Building tomorrow to celebrate its fifth anniversary. Guest speakers, including Patrice Morgan, owner of Showoff Magazine, Jeff Sousa of Sousa's Landscaping, Lisabet Outerbridge of Rock Island Coffee, Duane Lowe of Lowe's Trucking, Jamillah Lodge of the BSBDC and Rahja Gilbert of R&G Trucking, will all be on hand to share their experiences about starting out in business.

Entry to the event, including a light breakfast, costs $25.

For further details contact 535-9797 or e-mail admin@Showoffmagazine.net