CAN you get a job at one of the island's reinsurance companies if all you have a Bermuda School Certificate?The answer is "yes" according to Tammy Barclay from ACE's Human Resource department, but prospective employees also needed a 3.0 GPA, even if they are simply applying for a summer job or work shadowing (internship) programming.

Ms Barclay pointed out that last year between one and three students participated in the company's summer programme over any given period of time, and while they have been approached by one school so far this year, the student did not have the necessary 3.0 GPA.

However, she added that very few, if any students involved in the summer programme, end up working for ACE after graduation. While students who had participated in the work shadow programme since its launch still had to graduate from university.

As part of the company's support to public primary education, the "Madeline Joell Nest Egg Fund" this year provided all 18 public primary schools with up to $10,000 (each) towards language arts, mathematics and science programmes.

The company also sponsors the annual Career Fair at the Bermuda College aimed at middle school through trade apprentices and college undergraduates and is designed to help students learn about careers that best fit their individual interests and skills by ensuring they have the necessary information to make informed decisions in choosing a trade or profession.

Meanwhile the construction industry remains one of the largest employers of high school dropouts. But even here the competition is heating up.

Director of the Bermuda Career Centre, Derek Smith said: "Even if they get a job in construction, completing your high school training is important because there's a lot more competition now and you will end up competing against someone who has finished high school."

However, he did not discourage anyone from entering the construction industry because it remained an area in which large numbers of foreign workers were still being brought in.

"As for those who drop out of school, it's very important that we look at that area and reel them in and make sure we align them to become good upstanding citizens," he added. "Give them a chance, we all make mistakes, but we have to continue extending ourselves and give them an opportunity."

Having worked with Bermuda's young men for more than 11 years, founder of De Boys Day Out Club, Milton Richardson MBE attributes the high failure and dropout rate in 2006 to the lack of support, both at home and school.

A former teacher, Mr. Richardson's organisation focuses on addressing both the social and emotional needs of boys from single-parent homes.

He said what many did not realise was that a lot of Bermuda's young men had learning disabilities and behavioural issues that were not being addressed.

"They also don't have a positive father figure in their lives, so they drop out," he said. "Support from their mothers is not enough if they don't have them enrolled in any programmes like soccer or karate where they get exposure to positive male role models."

Mr. Richardson said a lot of the young men from single-parent homes were successful, but only because their mothers went "the extra mile".

He recalled a time in Bermuda when families shared quality time together and used that opportunity to share values, including the value of a good education.

"I never saw my mother read, but knew from my grandmother that education was important and someone in the neighbourhood communicated that to me as well," he said.

Mr. Richardson pointed out that a lack of discipline at home and in school was also a major factor.

There are currently about 28 boys in the club from both public and private schools and Mr. Richardson said he often drops in on them to make sure they are on time at school, have all their class materials and were dressed appropriately.

"And they appreciate that, they say it keeps them motivated!" he said with a laugh.

"I try and identify with some of the issues facing them because I went through something similar, like not having a father around and having teachers who didn't care. But having been a teacher myself, I tell them failure is not an option and I don't accept that."

Mr. Richardson was proud of the fact that except for one youngster, all for the boys involved in the club for three years or more stayed in school and 50 percent of them went on to college, while the others held full-time jobs.

"Which just goes to show what a different having the extra support and a positive male role in your life can do," he said, adding that mentoring programmes like YouthNet and Big Brothers & Big Sisters of Bermuda were critical and only wished that more men would get involved: "It all comes down to having a positive male role model!"