Hoteliers confident jobs will be filled for upcoming season

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Bermuda Hotel Association Executive John Harvey is confident the 130 jobs up for grabs in the hospitality industry will be filled.

Some 450 people signed up for employment at the job fair held last week at the Fairmont Hamilton Princess.

The joint partnership venture hosted by the Ministry of Home Affairs, the Chamber of Commerce and the BHA was organised to address the current eight percent unemployment rate.

That translates into an estimated 4,000 people who are unemployed with nearly 7,000 underemployed.

Mr Harvey confirmed that “137 people were hired in local hotels last year as a direct result of the BHA Job Fair held last year”.

He also pledged the association’s commitment to working with the Home Affairs Ministry “to identify and train other Bermudians” who want a career in the hospitality industry.

“I was personally pleased with this years Job Fair and do hope that many positions will again be filled as we approach our 2013 season,” said Mr Harvey.

Director of Human Resources at Fairmont Hamilton Princess, Kellianne Smith was also pleased with the turnout and the high calibre applicants.

Said Ms Smith: “The job seekers came prepared, well-dressed and eager to be there. They were articulate and let their personalities shine.”

Based on similar feedback from the other participating organisations she said jobs will be filled immediately.

“Interviews have already started with some hotels for job placements, other jobs will be filled accordingly,” she said.

Ms Smith added: “Job fairs like this are a great place to network with key leaders in the industry, and the job seekers in Bermuda are beginning to understand that. It’s very encouraging.”

The Minister, Michael Fahy said earlier this week that all training programmes and initiatives will be assessed during the transitional phase in the recent change of Government.

He indicated that work permit moratoria for certain job categories may also be “phased out as policies are strengthened to ensure that Bermudians are provided opportunities to fully participate in the workforce”.

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