The Minister of Development and Opportunity Terry Lister has called on the Bermuda College to design an Associate of Applied Technology Degree for local technology students.

He recommended the move as a means of putting technology students on the same career footing as academic students.

Mr. Lister announced the proposal during last week's International Conference on New Approaches in Higher Education -- the University College at the Bermuda College.

"Bermuda is well served by its strategic geographical location,'' he noted.

"The Country forms the hub in global communications. Bermudian society stands at a strategic crossroad.

"The embracing of technology skills by Bermudians can ensure the opportunity for a progressive society, and the utilisation of technology contributes to the on-going democratisation of our society,'' he said.

But Mr. Lister noted that in accepting the challenge of developing technology skills and embracing new technology, Bermuda had to reflect on its past.

He said: "Clearly we are mindful that in the past few decades the advancement of our young people was marginalised by not giving fair and equal regard for their potential development as contributing members of society.

"The practice of positive expectation fulfilment apparent in degree achievement, lucrative jobs and higher salaries has not been accorded equally to technology track students as compared with academic students,'' he continued.

"The resultant outcomes are limited access, opportunity and advancement for the technology practitioner.'' Mr. Lister said the implementation of an Associate of Applied Technology Degree by next year's Fall Semester at the college would address the matter directly and ambitiously.

"This degree will enable technology students and practitioners in occupations such as electrical, plumbing, motor mechanics, industrial maintenance, carpentry and horticulture to use their technical certificates as the core technical credits combined with general studies and advanced technical studies to earn the Associate of Applied Technology Degree,'' he said.

"The Associate of Applied Technology Degree qualification will become an instrument for access, opportunity and advancement by providing the technology practitioner with a foundation pathway to advanced degrees in technology, technical education and management.'' Terry Lister