Quincy Simmons had been out of work for more than a year and was growing increasingly desperate.He had sent in about 15 job applications and was working “hustles here and there” but despite his efforts was unable to find a job.Then, through Government’s Tri-30 programme, which aims to help 30 young people find secure long-term employment, he was given a much needed hand up.For the past two weeks Mr Simmons has been working as a deckhand with the Island’s ferry service; cleaning the vessels and monitoring them for scratches and other damages.The 18-year-old told The Royal Gazette “it feels good” to be back at work.“I always wanted to do this [kind of work] since I was seven years old. Now I am following in my dad’s footsteps. He was a boat pilot for government.”Minister of Community Development Michael Weeks said Mr Simmons was one of the “success stories” to come out of the Tri-30 programme.He said the initiative was set up in a bid to ease the “plight of many young Bermudians who are under 30 and have been unable to secure long-term employment for one reason or another”.“Some have never been employed before while many others have not had the required skill set needed to obtain gainful employment.“Many were becoming frustrated and feeling alienated from our community. This simply could not go on.”Mr Weeks said the programme would help young people between the ages of 18 and 25 by providing them with employment opportunities in the public and private sector, such as the labour and hospitality industry.The Department of Labour and Training used its unemployment registry database to find the successful applicants. The young people are now undergoing a ten-week trial period, after which employers will have the option of offering permanent employment “if they so choose”, said Mr Weeks.Premier Paula Cox announced on Friday that the Island’s unemployment rate was six percent when the Census was taken in May 2010; the Bermudian unemployment rate was eight percent at that time.Mr Simmons believes there are many other young people out there without steady jobs.“It’s probably a whole lot of people in the same shoes I was,” he said. “I was looking for about a year. I felt disappointed and I wanted to give up.“It was just disappointing looking for a job and people not hiring and then you see foreigners working. That’s messed up.”Mr Simmons said he was excited to finally get the job.“[I felt] like I was worth something,” he said.He is now taking two classes a week in boat mechanics, in addition to working towards his GED diploma.He said he was thankful for the opportunity: “I feel that [Government is] really trying to help me and put me where I wanted to be, with something I like doing.“I am very grateful because it was only 30 people so I am just happy I am one of the 30.”Mr Weeks said the Ministry of Community Development was “committed to developing well-trained and well-rounded employees”.In addition to finding young people a job, they are also holding mandatory workshops with topics such as resume writing, money management and office etiquette.“The participants eagerly attend these workshops, as they are seeing the value in investing in themselves in order to prepare for their future.“I am excited about the opportunities which have been created for these young people and I hope that this programme can continue in the future.“Our youth of today are our leaders of tomorrow and as a community we must empower them in every way possible.”Useful website: www.gov.bm.