Minors says jobs fair should cut unemployment

FRIDAY, FEB. 17: Nearly 390 Bermudian construction workers are job-hunting, a Minister told MPs today.

A total of 386 people are on the unemployment register at the Department of Labour and Training, while there has been a reduction of 251 work permits in the building trade.

Economy, Trade & Industry Minister Patrice Minors said: “The reduction could be attributed to many factors. Together with the work permits section and the Department of Labour & Training we are attempting to assess the reasons for this.

“Without question, some of the decrease relates to work permit refusals which are aligned with the current moratorium.”

Ms Minors, speaking in the House of Assembly, added that she hoped a jobs fair to be held next Thursday would help cut the number of Bermudian construction workers in the jobless queue.

She said: “More than 20 companies have confirmed their participation at the fair. These employers play a significant role in this event as they are expected to showcase careers in the construction industry as well as highlight jobs that they have available as a result of expansion of contracts and/or work permit refusals.

“They will make a concerted effort to identify, interview and hire unemployed individuals who have had some experience working in this sector.

“At the end of this event, employers are expected to report back to the National Training Board advising on the number of individuals hired.”

The jobs fair will be held at Bermuda College from 10am to 3pm. Ms Minors said that anyone interested in going should take along an up-to-date resume and references.

She added that the Department of Labour & Training offered help in drawing up resumes and anyone interested could pre-register for the event at the National Training Board.