Government MP Dale Butler is to investigate ways locals without experience can be considered for jobs after being flooded with letters and calls from those who have lost out.

Mr. Butler said in the House of Assembly recently that only 75 Bermudians applied for 1,200 jobs in one ten-week period.

The statement brought 50 phone calls and 30 letters from disgruntled locals which showed that time on the job was barring qualified locals from getting ahead.

He said: "The number one reason seems to be that they don't have one, two or three years in the job, even if they have the qualifications.

"If they don't have the experience this year they won't have it next year and they can sit there for years doing nothing. No experience means no interview."

He said lack of qualifications also figured very highly in reasons why people were rejected, while some were rejected because they lacked a `course or two'.

Mr. Butler said: "In other words they have A, B, C, D but they don't have E."

He has been asked by Labour and Home Affairs Minister Terry Lister to send a detailed report on the matter and is considering calling a meeting of those rejected in the job market to pool ideas.

He said possible solutions included internships, apprenticeships and financial incentives for people to get the experience they needed.

Meetings with stakeholders such as the Bermuda Hotel Association, the Bermuda International Business Association, the Chamber of Commerce and the Bermuda Employers Council were also needed to flesh out solutions said Mr. Butler.

Mr. Butler said the Minister had asked the Immigration Board about ways forward. Problems getting on the job ladder were affecting everyone from secretaries to graduates, said Mr. Butler.

"I think it needs someone at the National Training Board to meet with these people and address their concerns."

A recent letter writer in The Royal Gazette complained she had only been able to apply to one job in one and a half months despite returning with a degree because employers were all requesting five or more years experience.

Kim Wheddon, from Southampton, said the policy meant local talent would be stifled in favour of foreign employees, which put the long term success of the Island's financial services in jeopardy.

Bermuda Employers Council executive director Andrea Mowbray said that entry level jobs were rarely advertised and that keen graduates should apply directly to human resource departments.

She said: "Very few companies turn away educated Bermudians they can train up. Don't go for jobs that require five years experience - get in on the ground in an industry you are interested in."

Mr. Butler, who is training director at the Little Venice group, said there were also frustrations from employers over job seekers who couldn't be contacted.

He said: "It's well known in the hospitality industry that you get an applicant but when you call them the number doesn't work or it rings all day because it's a neighbours number and they are out." Mr. Butler said he had recently had such a case.