Government is considering tying the award of some contracts to hiring unemployed Bermudians, Economy Minister Patrice Minors reported yesterday.Minister Minors was updating the House of Assembly on progress being made with two Bermuda Economic Development Corporation programmes.“The Government is actively generating opportunities for Bermudians to expand their skills,” the Minister said.“As we go forward, some Government contracts will specifically urge vendors to hire unemployed Bermudians and it is anticipated that this may be a condition of the award in other cases. Further, we will also explore opportunities to facilitate ‘public-private partnerships’.”Mrs Minors also told the House that a graduate of the Government’s Small Jobs programme, Cathy-Ann Symons, had won the cleaning contract for the Dame Lois Browne Evans building.Ms Symons had been unemployed for the last two years, and is now one of Bermuda’s newest entrepreneurs.The cleaning contract is expected to start in April, with workers provided from the Department of Labour and Training’s unemployment database.“Successful candidates will participate in a customised training programme to ensure that they are work-ready,” the Minister said.“Ms Symons will be supported by the BEDC throughout the term of the Agreement. BEDC will provide training, business planning guidance, and administrative support to ensure the success of this new entrepreneurial endeavour.”