its pilot Chores Corps programme.

And some who were placed in jobs worked as little as a half day, programme coordinator Ms Zolee Davis confirmed.

Only about 10 young people worked all summer through the programme, she said.

But the Ministry of Youth, Sport and Recreation considered the pilot a success and steps would be taken to work out the "slight little glitches'' next year, Ms Davis said.

"It was definitely successful,'' Ms Davis said. "We were averaging three or four placements a week.

"Next year we'll do it again, and we'll start targeting it a lot sooner.'' The programme was hampered because it did not start until June 27, she said.

Next year, work would start much earlier getting the word out to potential employers that the service was available.

Some students registered and then found jobs on their own, she added.

Funded by the National Youth Council and administered by the Ministry, the Chores Corps programme was intended to provide short-term help to businesses or members of the public. The minimum call-out time was a half day.

John Barritt & Son Ltd. and Arctic Air Conditioning and Refrigeration were among companies that provided longer-term jobs.

Office and clerical duties, grass cutting, window cleaning, and garage cleaning were among the duties performed.

Youth and Sport Minister the Hon. Pamela Gordon said Government received many favourable reports about the quality of work the students performed. She thanked those who hired a student.

"Many of the students who registered with us were able to use the money to assist with their college and university costs,'' Sen. Gordon said. "We want to thank all those who helped us ease their financial hardships.'' She also thanked Bermuda Computer Services, which designed a computer programme for registering students and their job preferences. The company also loaned the Ministry a computer for the summer.