they would receive jobs at the end, Works and Engineering Minister the Hon.

Leonard Gibbons said yesterday.

Mr. Gibbons was responding to a charge from Shadow Labour and Home Affairs Minister Mr. Alex Scott that Government broke a promise to the trainees.

Three of the five who took part in the engineering training programme were recently told there were no jobs available, Mr. Scott said last week.

Initially, they were told they would all have jobs, he said.

But Mr. Gibbons pointed to a letter he said was sent to all participants at the outset.

"It is anticipated that following your period of practical work experience, a permanent established post of superintendent will become vacant,'' the letter said. "In these circumstances, you will be considered for appointment to such a post.'' In fact, three of the trainees were offered jobs, not just two, Mr. Gibbons said.

"While we would have liked to have been able to take on all five of these trainees, we must work within the framework of our establishment,'' he said.

"The two who have not been offered permanent posts will be put on a waiting list, and will be considered for appointment as further superintendent's posts become vacant.'' There was only one non-Bermudian superintendent, he said. The quarry superintendent had a certificate from the Institute of Quarrying and a licence to use explosives in blasting.

"There is no Bermudian currently qualified for this post,'' Mr. Gibbons said.

"Nonetheless, it is our intention to fill the post with a qualified Bermudian during the next three years.'' Mr. Gibbons said his ministry had spent more than $770,000 on salaries and courses for young Bermudians in the last two years. Currently, there were 17 training in various departments.