Six young Bermudians are set to leave the Island today for training, with $200,000 of support from the Ministry of Home Affairs.Jabari Hollis, Tyree Armstrong, Tyron Oswald, Stefan Lambert, Davin Clarke-Riley and Summer McGlynn will be travelling to the New England Institute of Technology for a course to become qualified automotive collision professionals.Home Affairs Minister Michael Fahy said yesterday: “Government remains steadfast and committed to ensuring social and economic equity for everyone.“And this announcement is a demonstration of a promise made and a promise delivered.”The initiative was announced by the Minister earlier this month with $201,190 allocated in the annual budget.Along with the students attending the automotive repair programme, Sen Fahy said four Bermudians will travel to Ipswich in the UK for a butchers certification programme.And as part of another training initiative, a $300,000 scholarship fund has been established at Bermuda College for nursing and teaching certification training.Sen Fahy said the Ministry is aware that Bermudians must be qualified and ready to take advantage of job opportunities as the economy bounces back.He said the automotive collision course became a focal point after discussions with industry experts on the Island revealed concerns about a lack of qualified Bermudians in the field.“Although there has not been a significant change in the number of work permit issuances for professional automotive collision repair journey-persons, it is clear that requests for renewals are consistent,” Sen Fahy said.“Additionally the industry is concerned that the Bermudians currently working in this field are nearing retirement and succession planning either does not exist or there are very limited numbers to fill the eventual void.“Therefore our main objective with this training initiative is to minimise the requests for issuance of work permits and to realise sustainability with well trained, Bermudian professionals.”He said the industry consultation was particularly important as it ensures there will be job opportunities available when the students return to the Island.“The industry was consulted widely with respect to this programme. We have the industry’s support prior to their departure.“That was a key element when we took on this initiative. The important thing is that the opportunity exists when they return.”He said bringing such training programmes to the Island is a long-term goal for the Ministry as it moves forward with the development of a National Training Plan.