Both of the Island’s political parties have launched employment initiatives designed to help Bermudians secure work.

Government MP Leah Scott announced a workshop that will start a week on Saturday, which will focus on improving the way people present their resumes.

Meanwhile, Progressive Labour Party MP Kim Wilson is to hold a Job Readiness Workshop this week.

Ms Scott said she hoped to run a series of workshops in her Southampton East Central constituency over the course of the year to provide jobseekers with skills and techniques that will help them to find work.

“The idea behind this project is to empower people and give them the tools they need to secure a job,” Ms Scott said.

“I hope that it can become a monthly fixture where we cover a different area of successful job-hunting at each event.

“As MPs it’s our job to represent the people of Bermuda and do what we can to help them find work. A number of constituents have approached me saying they cannot find work at the moment, and this is a way of giving something back and providing something positive and practical.

“These workshops are open to everyone and we hope lots of people take advantage of them.

“Bermuda’s economy has changed a great deal in the last five or six years and jobseekers need a different skill set to be chosen for a position.

“Employers are more focused than ever on the way you present yourself, whether it is on your resume or in the interview room, and that is what we are trying to help people improve on.”

The first resume writing programme will be held at Heron Bay Primary School in Southampton on January 24.

For the class, Ms Scott has enlisted the help of Bill Zuill, former editor of The Royal Gazette, and Patrice Williams, who recruits and places staff for Mr Zuill’s recruitment firm, Bermuda Executive Services.

Ms Scott said: “Bill and Patrice will provide detailed explanations, as well as the step-by-step process for creating an effective resume.

“In this workshop you will acquire professional resume writing tips to help rejuvenate your resume, discover networking skills, learn how to increase your visibility both online and offline, and effectively use these components to optimise your job search.”

Mr Zuill added: “This is about helping people to present themselves in the best possible way. It’s an area that we cannot do enough on at the moment.

“We hope that people who take part in the workshop will leave feeling more confident about going out into the jobs market and securing work.”

The resume workshop will take place between 2pm and 5pm. People interested in attending the lecture should arrive just before 2pm.

Ms Wilson, MP for Constituency 34, Sandys South Central, has teamed up with the Department of Workforce Development to host the Job Readiness Workshop.

The event will cover training for developing job-ready skills such as interviewing, writing resumes and effective communication.

Ms Wilson said: “As I canvass the area, I meet many people, both underemployed and unemployed, who are looking to better prepare and market themselves in their pursuit to secure gainful employment.

“With the recession that descended on the local workforce in 2008 came a much tighter job market across every sector.

“Developing and improving upon such skills will only serve to increase a person’s prospects of getting employed.

“Those in attendance will gain a working knowledge of the best tools and strategies needed to maximise opportunities and promote themselves.”

The Job Readiness Workshop is open to the public and will be held on Thursday from 11am to 3pm at Somerset Cricket Club.

For more information about Ms Scott’s event, contact John Faiella at jfaiella1950@gmail.com or 299 7118 or Ms Scott at lscott@oba.bm or 595 7972.