More than 600 people are registered as unemployed and seeking work through the Department of Labour and Training.

According to a response to Parliamentary Questions raised by UBP Senator Michael Dunkley, the Ministry of Economy Trade and Industry had 642 people looking for work as of February 28 this year. But it has been estimated that as many as 3,000 jobs have been lost in Bermuda since 2007.

The Ministry said it has helped 141 people find employment between October 1, 2010 and the end of last month.

Of the experienced workers seeking work through them, the Ministry said 152 are seeking jobs in construction, only a fraction of the estimated 2,000 unemployed construction workers across the Island.

The construction industry was particularly hard struck by the recession, with work orders falling to ten percent of past levels.

Another 46 are listed as looking for work as pot washers or kitchen porters, and 51 are looking for work in the landscaping industry jobs which are now under a moratorium preventing work permit applications and renewals from being granted.

Hundreds attended a job fair for landscape gardeners at the Bermuda College Gymnasium earlier this month. Thirty-four landscaping companies took part.

A separate job fair last month for those who want to enter the hospitality industry had 836 of the Island's unemployed attempt to land one of 155 vacant positions.

Useful websites: www.gov.bm, www.ubp.bm.