at special careers workshops.

Government is hoping that meeting top business leaders will smooth students' way into jobs.

The move has been praised by new Human Affairs Minister the Hon. Jerome Dill as a boost for equality of opportunity in the jobs market.

The Career Track workshops have been organised by the Chamber of Commerce for January 4 and 5. The first day's workshop will be repeated the second day. The sessions are designed to tell students what jobs are available and how to improve their chances of getting hired.

Students will also be invited to a "networking business reception'' where they will rub shoulders with professionals and top Government officials.

Ms Carolyn Mello, chamber executive vice-president, said yesterday: "A growing number of university students are returning to Bermuda after years of study and are unable to find suitable employment.

"We invest a lot in the education of our young people and it is critical that we provide them with practical career-search help when they need it most.

"Students need to be re-familiarised with the job market here and the holidays are an excellent time to reach these students.'' Young people were signing up already, she said.

It was hoped that after the event, employers would be supplied with a list of students and the jobs they were interested in.

Summer jobs could be one outcome of the event, she added.

Mr. Dill said many Bermudians leaving university did not get jobs for which they were qualified, often because they were not known to employers.

The Career Track event would help to deal with inequality of opportunity, he said.

"This is new and exciting and it's something about which we in Government are enthusiastic.'' Leaders from international business, stores, tourism, law, small business, the civil service, teaching, engineering, banking, accounting, medicine and computing will be taking part in the workshops.

Price for a day workshop is $25, including meals and materials.