Economy Minister Patrice Minors called for unemployed Bermudians to make the Department of Labour and Training their first stop in their search for a job.Responding to the report by this newspaper highlighting the concerns of three unemployed men she said there is no record of any of them in the department’s database.All three expressed the view that guest workers are displacing them from the workforce, but Frederick Trott posted a sign that said “I need a job” on North Shore Road near Ducking Stool.The Minister stressed that Labour and Training works hand in hand with the Immigration Department “to ensure that Bermudians are being provided with opportunities in the workplace”.She also pointed up “the moratoriums on several job categories to ensure that Bermudians were able to take advantage of job openings”.“We continue to work hard at trying to assist the unemployed find jobs. It is important however that when Bermudians become displaced from the workforce that they contact us and register with the Department so that we can use our resources to help.“The Department of Labour & Training maintains an up-to-date database of clients with skill sets ranging from entry level to professional. We continually reach out to clients and potential clients advising of the employment services and training available to them,” said Ms Minors.“It should be clarified for the benefit of the public that the Department of Labour and Training has sought to engage the gentleman featured in Wednesday’s paper, as he was not registered with the Department.She also maintained that despite the employment challenges being faced, there are some pockets of success, citing the recently concluded waiter server programme as well as some others as tangible evidence of that success.“Our mandate is to assist Bermudians in obtaining employment and provide training where appropriate.“Specific to the gentlemen in the article, we have scoured our database looking for his name and contact information without success.“However, we welcome the opportunity to assist him in his employment pursuits,” said Ms Minors.The Minister referred back to the joint initiative with the Bermuda Hotel Association and the Restaurant Division of the Bermuda Chamber of Commerce. The pilot programme launched last year was designed to fill 100 server positions within the hospitality industry with Bermudian workers.“Over the course of recruitment process, dozens of Bermudians signed up for and participated in the training programme.“The peak number of participants reached 109 individuals. And as of this week the Ministry confirmed that 66 individuals are currently employed thanks to this programme.“Our goal with this pilot programme was to not only reduce the number of waiter/server work permits by 100 but also expose persons of varied ages to this exciting industry of hospitality. So we are generally pleased with the outcome,” she said.“There are other areas of successes, such as in the case of J’Nai Bean. She was employed at 64 Degrees Restaurant but was made redundant. She was determined to obtain her heavy truck license and succeeded.“Within two weeks she secured employment with BGA as a Truck Driver. Also, Keith Lee has been registered with Department of Labour and Training since June 2011 and finally obtained employment at Jason’s Barber shop.“So we will continue to make sure and steady progress towards providing fair opportunities for Bermudians. I am pleased with the efforts of our staff, who continue to work tirelessly to help their fellow Bermudians.“But we also look to the private sector for their assistance and in that regard, and I continue to encourage any employer who may have vacancies to contact the Department to offer their assistance.”Meanwhile, Charles Dunstan, head of the Construction Association of Bermuda said: “We received confirmation from the contractor on the Waterloo House project that none of the three individuals named in the article have ever applied to their firm for employment of any kind.“They further confirmed that one of the individuals enquired on site, and was told by the site superintendent to present himself at the office to fill in an application and to take the pre-employment drug screening. Their records show that no such application was submitted,” said Mr Dunstan.“An informal poll of our member firms shows that the number of guest workers in the local construction industry has continued to decline since the last employment statistics, compiled a year ago.“While we understand the frustration of anyone having a difficult time finding employment, the claims made are irresponsible, and without foundation, he said.“There may well be isolated incidents of firms flying under the radar to flout employment laws, but the larger more high profile firms are scrutinised heavily by Immigration, Safety & Health and Employment authorities, and have little opportunity to avoid the robust local immigration procedures in place.”