Premier Ewart Brown is planning an overseas tour of campuses with a high proportion of Bermudian students in a bid to convince them to eventually seek jobs at home.

The trip, likely to take place within the next six months, will include Washington DC, Philadelphia, Huntsville in Alabama, Toronto and London, England. North Carolina and New York might also be added to the list.

A list of Bermudian students abroad is being compiled from email invitations.

The message being sent said the goal of the trip is to ?meet us, inspire us, answer our questions and encourage us to seek job opportunities in Bermuda?.

The Premier?s Press Secretary Scott Simmons told: ?The Premier of Bermuda sees the need to meet with Bermudian students studying abroad.

?This familiarisation is the continuation of an overall programme to meet the students in their own elements and engage them in constructive dialogue.

?The Premier would like to convey to our students that we, as a Country and a Government, value their collective contribution.?

Young Bermudians are at an ever-growing premium with declining birth rates meaning Bermuda?s work-eligible population, which lost 1,700 people from 2000 to 2005, is set to fall by one fifth by 2042.

Bermuda already imports more than a quarter of its workforce.

Dr. Brown?s new government pledged in Friday?s Throne Speech to boost training opportunities through Government-paid internships in the construction and hospitality industries.

The Premier?s spokesman said the trip would also confirm to parents that Government appreciates their sacrifice in sending their children abroad to study.

Dr. Brown is also planning a victory party following his recent elevation to the Premiership of Bermuda.

He is inviting overseas friends and family to a Premier?s Gala Weekend on January 12-14 to raise funds for the Bermuda Progressive Labour Party.