The National Training Board (NTB) received a $400,000 cash boost to hire four more staff in order to better serve the Island.

The new employees will assist local workers become licensed under a National Certification System.

?The National Certification is a process by which all tradesmen will be certified to work in Bermuda,? Minister for Education Terry Lister said. ?That developmental process will require us to beef-up our staff first of all to develop the certification then to enforce the certification process.?

Some of the certifications the Board provides are for marine seaman, marine pilot, crane operator, power tool operator and electrician.

Minister Cox said a review of the the NTB found that its staff of two was overwhelmed by the demand for NTB services. She said it was not suitable for a ?key-institution in Bermuda?s labour market? to run with such a small staff.

The NTB has delivered vital services to the trades industry and is credited for providing many young people with additional training, technical scholarships and career advancement, she said, but in an increasingly knowledge-driven global economy Government was determined to let young people make the most of their talents.

?Education helps to make this a reality,? Ms Cox said. ?There has been considerable investment, not just in the education infrastructure, but also in seeking to raise standards and to provide an enabling framework for licensing our teachers who are on the front-line in delivering services to our young people.?

This is the second year the Board?s budget has been increased, last year it received an additional $665,870. In total the NTB will receive $1.3 million from the Department of Education this year.

The National Training Board?s current, overworked, employees could not be reached for comment last week because they are abroad at a seminar.