A representative from the Department of Workforce Development has urged employers to help secure internships and jobs for Bermudians of all ages.

Jeanene Warner, the department’s acting career development officer, told members of the Hamilton Rotary Club on Tuesday how the unit provides coaching, funding, workshops and other opportunities for Bermudians seeking employment.

She said: “Education and training is how someone moves from underemployment or unemployment to being fully employed.

“The question is not whether jobs exist, it’s whether people can get them; that’s what our department looks to do.”

Ms Warner said the DWD recently provided $10,000 scholarships to 32 Bermudian students and offers up to $5,000 in bursary funding to those hoping to advance their careers.

She added that more than 320 people took part in the department’s youth employment programmes in the past two years and 173 were involved in its high school and college placements this summer.

Ms Warner said: “The only way we could do this is because employers partner up and say ‘I will take a student’ — we’ve had more than 32 career partners, public and private, take our students.”

She encouraged employers to view the placements as an opportunity to invest in Bermuda’s young people and future, rather than charity.

She said: “Many employers are already thinking about who comes next in our organisation … the next owner of the business could be a summer placement, an apprenticeship or a traineeship.”

Ms Warner urged young jobseekers to constantly network and never give up, and said employers are crucial to them finding careers.

She said: “Most people think about careers in international business or trendy things, but are not really exposed to healthcare, finance, IT and the trades.

“There’s so much work out there, and if employers can share what they’re doing and what’s available, it may lead young people to explore a career they never considered before.”