Government staff who have been helping recently-redundant hospitality workers are trying to track down those who have slipped through the net.

Training and Employment Services have already assisted dozens of former Marriott Castle Harbour staff, but they are busy trying to trace others who have "disappeared'' since the closure.

The department recruited extra staff to cope with an expected influx of people looking for help in finding new positions or guidance.

And although they have helped many already, marrying workers and employers, they said they believed there were many out there who needed assistance.

Around 450 people lost their jobs when the Marriott closed, although many had found alternative employment before the November 30 shutdown.

Training and Employment manager Naomi Schroter said: "We continue to help these people who call in, we are trying to encourage them to apply for jobs now -- even though they may be going away.

"We are strongly advising them to obtain jobs first.'' Ms Schroter said it was difficult to give accurate figures on how many people were still looking for work, since her staff had been unable to contact them.

"We would like to encourage people to contact us and let us know if they do have jobs, whether or not they need assistance.'' The department is also collaborating with employers, unions and the Bermuda Hotel Association to match up prospective staff with available positions.

Prior to the Marriott closure, a job search workshop was conducted with employees, providing Training and Employment Services with a data bank of information on the various skills available.

As positions become available, they matched suitable candidates with potential employers.

In addition, jobs have to be advertised three times and all avenues exhausted -- including contacting the various agencies -- before employers can look elsewhere.

"The majority of Marriott employees want to stay in the industry,'' she said.

"That is good for other employers because when you have a small pool of qualified workers, you have to poach them or bring them in from overseas.

"This provides a pool that can address some of their needs and hopefully they are taking advantage of it.'' Ms Schroter also appealed for the hospitality sector to get in touch with her department as their labour requirements became apparent for next season, to enable them to take on many of the remaining staff.