Shadow Home Affairs Minister Rolfe Commissiong voiced concerns that too many students had been turned away from the summer employment programme under the National Training Plan warning government “not to set the bar too high that it puts out qualified Bermudians”.

Out of 195 who applied some 51 did not meet the criteria while a further 25 withdrew their applications.

Speaking in the House of Assembly, Mr Commissiong also pointed to the diminishing numbers of students taking advantage of student funding and training enrolment from the department. In the year 2009 to 2010 some 144 students took advantage of the support while last year the figure was 116.

Mr Commissiong said: “I would like to see those numbers rise during recessionary periods like this. It is important that we up our game to retool and perhaps pursue different qualifications for an evolving economy to prepare for when [the economy] does rebound.”

While he commended the online job notice board his party colleague, Shadow Immigration Minister Walton Brown said it should go further.

In light of “companies conspiring against Bermudians” through the likes of false advertisements and job requirements that are unrealistic for Bermudians, Mr Brown suggested the creation of a database that is linked to Immigration, “that talks to every job posting that has to get advertised”.

Mr Brown said he wanted to see a, “more sincere conviction for opportunities,” adding that what was missing from the plan was a focus on the importance of certification.

“What it the current commitment to certification — at one point it was addressing electricians and plumbers — is it no longer on the radar is it no longer important?”