Premier Michael Dunkley has welcomed the news that Sun Life intends to expand jobs in Bermuda over the coming years.

Premier Dunkley met with the principal of the financial services firm yesterday after the company announced it was planning to more than double its staff on the Island.

The Canadian-founded firm’s international arm also aims to boost the number of Bermudians in top jobs with an international training programme.

Mr Dunkley said that Sun Life’s job expansion initiative had shown “incredible foresight”,

And he described the move to expand job opportunities at the firm as a “confidence boost” for Bermuda’s economy and workforce.

“Yesterday my Cabinet colleagues and I had the pleasure of meeting with the principal regional representatives of Sun Life, and we were extremely encouraged about their plans to expand jobs in Bermuda,” said Mr Dunkley.

“Over the past two years, this Government has worked tirelessly to put critical elements in place aimed at turning around our economy and creating an environment that was conducive to growing business.

“In recent months and weeks there have been some very encouraging announcements relating to our economy, workforce and hotel development. So we are pleased that Sun Life has added to the growing list of positive initiatives. Their objectives to grow jobs and to invest in and train Bermudians is very welcome news, and we look forward to working with them to ensure their success.”

During a meeting at the Cabinet Office yesterday, the Premier, along with Deputy Premier and Finance Minister Bob Richards, Education and Economic Development Minister, Dr Grant Gibbons and Home Affairs Minister Michael Fahy met with Andrew Darfoor, senior vice-president and CEO of Sun Life International,

Dean Connor, president and CEO of Sun Life Financial and Daniel Fishbein, president of Sun Life Financial US also attended the meeting to discuss the firm’s workforce plans for the Island.