A record 41 companies have signed up to take part in Government?s 2005 summer employment programme.

The Department of Labour and Training (Training and Employment Services) summer employment coordinator, Allen Richardson said he was thrilled with the response, but said he would like to see the number grow. In 2004 just seven companies in Bermuda took part.

?We sent out 300 requests to the private sector in December and even though less than half responded, 41 is still a record number,? he said.

Some of the companies that will be participating this summer include Arch Reinsurance, Bermuda CableVision, Argus Insurance, Little Venice Group, Ice Queen Restaurant, Grotto Bay, Elbow Beach and the Catlin Insurance Group.

Mr. Richardson said many companies offered their own summer employment programmes, including those in the retail industry such as A.S. Cooper and, in previous years, Trimingham?s.

?We?ll be placing 215 college students and 294 high school students within various Government departments, as well as the private sector for between five and eight weeks,? he said.

High school students will earn $300 a week for a period of five weeks, while college students will earn $450 a week for a period of eight weeks.

For students wanting to participate in the summer programme, the Department of Labour and Training advertises towards the end of every year for the following summer.

The only requirements for students to participate is that they must be a minimum of 16 years old and must be attending school or college.

Mr. Richardson said registration for the summer work programme takes place every December and, since Government increased its budget for 2005, his department was able to place more students than before.

Mr. Richardson sent out a ?passionate plea? to all businesses to participate in the programme next year and wanted to thank those who had signed up and offered employment to local students.