Two young men will travel overseas to complete their training in power engineering.

Hezekiah Rampersad and Marcal Wilkinson will attend Cambrian College of Applied Arts and Technology in Ontario, Canada, to become licensed by the Technical Standards and Safety Authority, as power engineers.

The pair aim to fill vacant power engineer positions at Tyne’s Bay Waste to Energy Facility, where they have recently worked through government’s Workforce Development Department’s summer employment programme.

Mr Ramparsad said: “This career is very rewarding and I’ve done a lot of research on it, making sure that I’m getting into something that I actually will enjoy.

“Over the next years, power engineering will definitely become a career to get into, because the talk is all about renewable energy and different ways to generate electricity.

“As power engineers we actually discover these ways and upgrade and maintain these plants to provide power to the grid.”

Mr Wilkinson said: “I just want to thank everyone here at Tyne’s Bay. It’s been a pleasure working here.

“These people have been very helpful towards Hezekiah and me to give us some experience, and the opportunity to go to Cambrian College.”

The two men, who were highlighted at a press conference at Tyne’s Bay, completed the dual enrolment programme at the Bermuda College.

Nasir Wade, the acting plant manager at Tyne’s Bay, called the College a “key player throughout the entire process”.

He said: “I would like to recognise the Bermuda College, who were instrumental in ensuring that both Hezekiah and Marcal were academically prepared to meet the prerequisite standard of Cambrian College.”

Mr Wade added that Mr Rampersad and Mr Wilkinson “have earned their place at this starting line through both hard work and determination”.

He added: “I can confidently say that they will continue to drive forward in a positive manner at Cambrian College and return to the Island as qualified power engineers.”

Lieutenant-Colonel David Burch, the Minister of Public Works, said: “We have every confidence that Marcal and Hezekiah will be successful and support each other on this journey as they have been friends since high school and both completed the dual enrolment programme last year at Bermuda College.

“They know and I wish to publicly state that all of us in this Ministry will support you in this effort, so do not hesitate to ask for any help that you need.”

Lovitta Foggo, the Minister of Labour, Community Affairs and Sport, said: “As has been demonstrated by highlighting the achievements of Marcal and Hezekiah, this Government remains heavily vested in developing Bermuda’s youth.

“And we are pleased that we are able to support their growth in this way.”