Adults wishing to improve their educational qualifications will be able to get funding from Government in the future.

Government said in the Throne Speech that a Mature Student Further Education Award Programme will be introduced to enable older students to finance their educations.

"In the past, age restrictions have prevented mature students from taking advantage of scholarships and other further education awards," the Speech said.

"This programme will allow mature students to compete for scholarships and awards that will enable them to pursue educational opportunities beyond The Bermuda College."

The Speech also said that The Tech Quest 2000 Project will give Bermudians the opportunity to take their place in positions of leadership in technology education, advanced technology and technology management.

The programme, which awarded nine scholarships in June 2004, helps candidates obtain specialist university level degrees in technology, technology education, technology management, and workforce development.

"The National Training Board will work in partnership with a number of institutions, including The Bermuda Regiment, to assist the unskilled, unemployed, and under-employed, to gain the skills necessary for employment," the Speech said.

The speech revealed another initiative, Programmes for Senior Secondary School Dropouts, which will assist dropouts to attain their high school equivalency qualifications.

It added: "The Technical Career Preparation Seminar will be arranged to direct, equip, and assist unemployed individuals to attain the requisite skills they need to compete in today's job market.

"Partnerships with the various summer youth development projects will provide our young people with early exposure to the programmes offered by the National Training Board."

The speech also outlined plans to introduce an Academic Monitoring and Character Development Mentor Project.

"This social agenda programme will work within the schools and communities, to instil positive values in Bermuda's pre- and early teens and provide mentors for our young people with a view to establishing ongoing relationships between students and responsible adults," the Speech said.

The Project will also run during school vacations as part of the Life Skills Camps.

"This will allow young people to sustain relationships with mentors while continuing their academic and social development."

Government also plans to expand the role of the Police Schools Resource Officers to ensure that the first experiences of young people have with the Police Service is positive.