The government is moving to secure jobs for its citizens in oil, gas and renewable energy through new legislation now in an advanced stage, Minister for Energy Kerrie Symmonds has announced.

He also confirmed that domestic gas production has shrunk to a fraction of its output just six years ago, as Barbados eyes importing gas from the new regional fossil-fuel powerhouse, Guyana.

Symmonds made the disclosure at an Ideas Forum public town hall meeting. The revelation came in response to pointed questions from an industry veteran about the absence of clear professional training frameworks in recent state energy reports.