Outstanding students ? and companies and institutions which have helped develop Bermuda?s workforce ? were honoured at the National Training Board?s second annual merit awards last week.

Construction Association of Bermuda, New Venture Holdings Limited and Universal Electric Limited were presented with the Minister?s Award for their part in training and development of the Island?s workforce.

This award is presented to companies and institutions in recognition of their contribution to, and support of technical education and training excellence.

The Chairman?s Award was presented to JF Drake State Technical College, New England Institute of Technology and the Samuel Jackman Prescod Polytechnic in recognition of their outstanding service to technical education.

Board Awards went to Nalton Brangman in recognition of his dedicated and outstanding service to the NTB as former deputy chairman and chairman between 1999 and 2004; Curtis DeGraff, who provided capable, dedicated and outstanding service to ensure the successful transferral of the National Welding Training Facility from the Swandell Industrial site in Devonshire to the Facility?s permanent location at the Technical Education Centre at the Bermuda College;

Ian Hind, who served as the Chairman of the Heavy Equipment Technology Occupational Advisory Committee; and, Amie Limon, the International Student Advisor at the New England Institute of Technology in Rhode Island were both presented with this years? Board?s Award.

One of the most sought-after awards ? The Honourable C. Eugene Cox Apprentice Excellence Award, presented in memory of the late Mr. Cox, a former apprentice ? had to be presented posthumously. The award was collected by Ronnelle Christopher, the mother of Ronald Eugene Christopher, who was killed in a motorcycle accident in May this year.

Mr. Christopher received the award in recognition of his outstanding electrical technical studies achievement and excellence in personal conduct.

This years? Apprentice of the Year Award went to to David Bean for outstanding achievement in technical studies.

Mr. Bean obtained the Certificate in Maritime Operations from the Samuel Jackman Prescod Polytechnic in Barbados with the highest academic standing in the class.

The following students were among those who earned the Apprentice Achievement Award: Clay Bean, Davien Bean, Donavan Bean, Franklin Burford, Kevin Caines, Daniel DeCouto;

Anthony Dyer, Troy Edwards, Jonathan Ingemann, Antoine Lambert, Adrian Minks, Craig Musson, Macdonald Simmons, Michael Smith and Torrey Tacklyn.

The Graduate Achievement Award is presented to NTB-sponsored students who have attained graduate status in technical studies and this year included: Shelisa Basden, Sydney Bean, Twanee Butterfield, Mark Crofton, Curtis Dawson, Renee Dill, Emmajean Durrant, Shannon Ford, Zalika Furbert;

Tiffany Glasford, Kokeita Henry, Ewart Lambert, Chioke Lodge, Jevon Mills, Rashida Ming, Angelita Outerbridge, LaTanya Outerbridge, Kim Pitcher, Samuel Robinson, Cordell Simmons, Casey Steede, Andre Trott and Keisha Zuill.

Another sought-after award, the Outstanding Graduate Achievement Award was presented to John Gregory Outerbridge, who was featured recently in .