You arrive fully prepared to inform the class about Bermuda hospitality.

The children are polite, sit and listen attentively. You ask questions and they have answers. It quickly becomes obvious that they do have career dreams. But almost 90 percent of what they are interested in has little to do with the major employment needs of Bermuda. They want to be lawyers , forensic psychologist, and "something in business". You tell them we have 8,000 people on work permits in areas they have expressed little or no interest: mechanics, kitchen porters, waiters, accountants, nurses etc.

When I ask them where we are going to find these people they say "bring them in from the outside". Then it occurs to them that these guest workers will be employed because of the demand and they probably will not have a job in Bermuda. Without prompting, a little boy in the back of the room ask: "What are we to do if we get a degree but it is not in the area that is needed?"

This prompts a young lady at the front to say: "I am not going to university so I want to know if there are any entry level jobs in Bermuda because I read the newspapers and I don't see them for me or for those people with university degrees who do not have experience."

I am stumped. What are the answers for our young people who have just graduated from high schools and in an increasing number, university. They have received instruction from well-qualified teachers and counsellors and they have the best of facilities with security guards and air-conditioners.

Once high school students decide on their career they should contact the National Training Board to see where the opportunities exist - or they will graduate and end up behind a counter with a degree selling newspapers. Of course all jobs have honour but why waste four precious years to get a degree in a subject where there is limited employment.

Perhaps a change in their second year of university to fit the needs of the country might be needed. A second option would be to get that British Passport and work in the UK and related countries. This will help the child to get experience and the business environment overseas "appears" to be more user friendly to first time job entrants.

The second issue raises a bigger question in Bermuda with regards to entry level positions.

I have read many job adverts asking for Office Assistants with "two years experience", mechanics with three and carpenters with five. So how is a young person to get started? There are a few companies offering a limited number of entry level positions. These companies should get a tax incentive and full marks for being good corporate customers.

As I write this article the postman hands me a copy of 'Your Future'. The opening page, featuring Chartered Accountants in Bermuda is encouraging because it is racially , ethnically and gender fair which indicates there are opportunities there that abound. Bermuda students reading this edition under the editorship of Charles Barclay, will see a bright future and the results indicate that many young Bermudians are doing well once they graduate.

But there are many others with qualifications who miss the boat by one certificate or one class. They have a degree and numerous papers but not the right paper for a particular job. This is where the Government needs to step in and assist that young Bermudian who just missed the boat by a course. Yes, by one course. And how do I know? As a member of the Immigration Board and Member of Parliament I know. I am contacted by school leavers and people with computer and business qualifications who cannot find a job. The numbers are growing and something has to be done to ensure that every qualified Bermudian is employed in a timely fashion and not after fifty applications (only two interviews for one person who contacted me) or waiting six months. I can give additional examples.

Let's answers these questions, encourage our youth and make sure they are put to work. This is their country and they must be employed.

Dale Butler is the Progressive Labour Party MP for Warwick North West