The recent story of a 45-year-old paint sprayer who became ineligible to continue residency in Bermuda after he lost his job at HWP was very alarming. The fact that the individual was asked to leave can be summed up as a sad moment for his friends and family, but the real loser in this story is the young Bermudian who was never trained to take this man’s position after his first five years on the Island.This story is not unique to HWP. It is a common practice that is happening throughout Bermuda. Companies bring in workers to do jobs and never put policies in place to one day Bermudianise those positions. In all sectors of our economy we see this injustice. We constantly see guest workers replacing other guest workers. This is a vicious cycle that is partly responsible for the current high levels of unemployment. We must invest in Bermudians in order for Bermuda to truly grow.Full employment of Bermudians should be the country’s aim; however, for that to be achieved companies must invest in Bermudians. Far too many of our young Bermudians are going abroad receiving an education and are returning home to find many barriers to employment. Instead of facing adversity, returning graduates should have an option of joining an apprenticeship programme to gain relevant work experience. The Government provides tax relief for companies that conduct such programmes, so there are few excuses for companies not to implement these schemes. I truly believe that each one should teach one.Government’s current work permit policy provides assurance to young Bermudians that job opportunities may open up in their required field of study. While term limits were designed to prevent large numbers of non-Bermudians becoming long term residents, I believe they also encourage employers to hire Bermudians.Imagine if there were no term limits in Bermuda. Do you believe that Bermudians would get a fair opportunity to employment? I surely don’t. Work permits and term limits force employers to advertise for jobs locally. We can’t just open up the Island to all while we are disadvantaging Bermudians.How do the many unemployed Bermudians feel when they see guest workers entering the Island and doing jobs they are capable of doing? Don’t think too hard. They are vexed and disheartened. Telling people that they can work for the rest of their lives in Bermuda when so many Bermudians are unemployed is a slap in the face.The priority should be getting Bermudians back to work not disadvantaging them. Political parties should be talking more about unemployment insurance and reducing unemployment rather than abolishing term limits. If abolishing term limits are pro-business and pro-foreigner, then I support keeping term limits because they are pro-people and pro-Bermudian.Jason Hayward is first vice president of the Bermuda Public Service Union.