Economy Minister Patrice Minors yesterday announced her intention to lift a work permit moratorium on landscape gardeners.

The policy change will apply to ‘renewal applications which have not reached term limit’, according to a press release announcing the change.

A work permit moratorium put in place in February 2011 for landscape gardeners, cleaners, kitchen and bar porters, housekeepers and skilled labourers, had resulted in 157 jobs being created for Bermudians, the release stated. It also spurred the creation of the Landscapers Association “which has been working closely with the Ministry these past several months to address industry concerns regarding staffing levels”.

Minister Minors said that the policy change is a “show of good faith” toward the Landscapers Association.

She also announced the establishment by the Landscapers Association and the Department of Labour and Training of a new summer training programme for senior school students.

Participating students will be paid for their work.

“It is felt that this early introduction to landscaping and a possible broader career in horticulture may prove of great interest to participants and in due course lead to increased enrolment in the Horticulture program at the Bermuda College,” Mrs Minors said.

The Minister added: “Those who are presently interested in this field are encouraged to enrol in the next Bermuda College course which will run from May 14 to July 13, 2012.”

The Bermuda College classes are held Monday to Wednesday from 9am to 4pm with on-site practical training on Thursdays and Fridays.