Churches are to give unemployment registration as well as counselling and training for the jobless under a new initiative announced today.Economy Minister Kim Wilson outlined the project which comes in the wake of a hospitality job fair held by the Department of Labour and Training, in conjunction with the Bermuda Hotel Association and a landscaper’s job fair where more than 200 participants met with 33 landscaping companies.“It’s very clear that despite the trying economic times, partnership between Government and the private sector is working and I believe that it is an effective tool in helping us to collectively address some of the challenges that we are facing here in Bermuda,” said Ms Wilson.“While the job fairs are bearing some fruit, it goes without saying that there are several persons who continue to seek employment and the job market continues to shrink. Many unemployed persons register with Labour and Training, and the Department continues to provide amongst other things, job placement, training and career counseling services.”The Minister added: “I stand before you today to launch our Faith Community Outreach Programme. Through this programme, participating churches will provide support services to those in their community who are seeking employment and in turn they will work closely with an Employment Officer from the Department of Labour and Training.“The churches will provide unemployment registration on behalf of the Department of Labour and Training, as well as training and other support services at their facilities, right in their communities. What’s more, they will also provide spiritual counseling.“By partnering with the churches, this Government is doing its best to ensure that we are taking a holistic approach to assist persons affected by job loss. The churches are right there in the various neighbourhoods and they understand the needs of the people in each of their communities. We believe that the churches are well positioned to effectively provide the kind of incremental support services that would be of value.”