in this year's Budget.

And Home Affairs Minister Quinton Edness said the massive cash commitment to his Ministry's Labour and Training Department underlined Government's determination to fit the Island for the future.

The training budget is to increase by more than double in the coming year -- up $740,000 to $1.4 million.

Overall, the Department will see a $1.2 million increase (63 percent) to break the $3.3 million mark.

And the extra cash for front-line work will be backed by a $38,000 advertising campaign -- up 171 percent on the previous $14,000 allocation.

Mr. Edness said: "The Department of Labour and Training embodies Government's determination to make opportunities available to provide Bermudians at all levels to gain meaningful employment.

"The 63 percent increase reflects Government's determination to that our people are properly trained, trained and retrained to take maximum advantage of opportunities.'' Mr. Edness was speaking after he presented his Ministry's financial blueprint for the coming year.

He added that Government was working on new programmes to set up job creation programmes for specific groups.

Mr. Edness told the House that a Government register of students at college abroad would be based on the summer employment programme for undergraduates and keep records of courses and graduation dates.

And he said the register would be used to keep pace with "constant requests'' for well-qualified Bermudians from other Government departments.

Mr. Edness added that more than 500 students had already registered for the summer programme and another 300 were expected to sign up in June.

And Mr. Edness added that it was hoped to increase the number of students placed in worthwhile jobs over the summer.

Mr. Edness, however, said a pioneering scheme to train hospitality workers had run into difficulties.

He said many people with families found it difficult to devote the time to the intensive course.

And only two of nine students were eligible for the partnership part of the programme with hotels.

But Mr. Edness said: "Two is better than none and we will continue that effort.''