A scheme to get Bermudians off the wall and into permanent work was launched yesterday by Labour Minister David Burch, with the backing of the construction industry.

Six firms have agreed to take on workers who have graduated from the Island's Hustle Truck programme and give them a job for two years, provided they pull their weight and prove themselves trustworthy.

The Back to Work initiative is the brainchild of construction boss Jane Correia, who discovered just how many young men and women were out of work and "on the wall" when she was canvassing during the last general election.

She told a press conference yesterday: "It was eye opening to me that so many felt that the construction industry was a closed shop, not allowing Bermudians to be gainfully employed in our industry.

"The obvious point was that there are a significant number of young, capable Bermudians out there that could be doing a more effective job of meeting our labour needs."

Mrs. Correia, of Correia Construction, has worked with the Hustle Truck team at Bermuda Housing Corporation (BHC) and the Construction Association of Bermuda (CAOB) to devise a scheme which will give full-time employment to those who want it.

Back to Work was given a "soft launch" yesterday with six Hustle Truck graduates being placed with six CAOB member firms. But Senator Burch said the eventual aim was to target "everybody on the wall" and involve other industries.

"Not everybody sitting on the wall is necessarily blue collar," he said. "There are some really bright people who can do computer stuff and some other things."

The BHC-run Hustle Truck was launched in April 2007 as a way of giving the unemployed the chance to do casual manual labour for $18 an hour.

Despite what the Minister called "some teething pains, some growing pains", more than 160 participants have now graduated and gone on to full-time work or education.

He said Back to Work was an "evolution" of Hustle Truck for "those hustlers who want more than just another hustle".

Sen. Burch said: "While sustaining hustlers through limited employment, we felt these young men and women in the Hustle Truck programme could move on and up to full-time employment with the necessary guidance, assistance and coaching.

"There are persons who find themselves temporarily unemployed or underemployed but do not wish to remain in those circumstances.

"They do want to participate and contribute to Bermuda in a meaningful way."

He added: "This Government is in the business of giving a hands up to persons who are interested in first helping themselves."

To get involved with the Hustle Truck call the BHC on 295-8623.