The president of the Chamber of Commerce believes Bermudians will have to be better educated and improve their performance at work if they are to take advantage of future business opportunities.

Speaking at yesterday's weekly Hamilton Rotary Club lunch, Michael Smith claimed that there are "boundless opportunities'' for Bermudians in the workplace.

But he said that people would have to have proper training, with at least entry level skills to be competitive in the employment market.

"Our students must come to the realisation that if they do not learn, they can look forward to the harsh realities of a business world that will not welcome them,'' Mr. Smith said.

"Companies will not hire employees that do not meet their minimum entry standards. Government cannot and should not alter that reality. Our students must be ready to enter the workforce with at least entry level skills, otherwise they will not be competitive in the employment market.

"Many of those Bermudians we have are not currently coming into the workforce with even the entry level skills they need to get on the first rung of the ladder.'' Mr. Smith went on to say that workers had to "provide value for money'' if businesses on the Island were to remain competitive.

"How many of our employees do not provide value for money?'' he asked.

"In today's business world it is not satisfactory for employees to arrive at work somewhere round the right time, spend some time getting ready to work, do a few things before taking a coffee break, a few more before going to lunch ...and so goes the rest of the day until they get ready to make sure that they leave work at 5 p.m. on the dot.

"Our businesses compete with similar businesses in many countries, not just the guys down the street. We must adopt current best practices in order to stay on the competitive edge. Current best practice today demands that employees must be responsible and accountable for meeting stated and agreed performance goals.'' Mr. Smith added that a skilled local workforce, along with a modern infrastructure, were essential in keeping international businesses on the Island.

"There are competing jurisdictions that would just love us to trip and fall flat on our faces,'' he said.

Chamber of Commerce president Michael Smith's list of possible initiatives, achievable within five years, that would help Bermuda become "a model society that has adapted itself to the constraints of its physical size and resources'': Fewer cars and motorbikes.

Water taxis to provide rapid transport around the harbour and the Great Sound.

No large hotels.

Increased numbers of small resort hotels, home-based businesses and small firms providing specialist services.

Increased express courier services.

Reduced shipping costs.

Consolidation of existing shipping companies.

Increased charter flights.

Off shore fish farming and gambling.

European Coomunity rights.

On line grocery shopping and door to door delivery.

A privately run University of Bermuda.

Targets that could be achieved within ten years. No large retail stores.

Additional banking options and a virtual cashless economy.

No customs duties.

High speed ferry connecting Bermuda to the mainland in a one day crossing.

Two world class health and spa resorts.

A public education system so fine that private schools are downsizing.

A world class medical centre, drug rehabilitation centre and arts centre.

A new rail transport system.

A off-shore prison.

the automated transfer of real property title through a land registration system.

BUSINESS BUC