Nine member companies have joined forces to create a summer internship programme for students from the Berkeley Institute and CedarBridge Academy.
The programme is the result of a new STEM initiative by the Department of Education Career Pathways and the Department of Workforce Development in partnership with Bermuda International Long Term Insurers and Reinsurers (BILTIR).
Participating students interested in pursuing careers in international business will be enrolled for six weeks with member organizations. Select students will also have the opportunity “to rotate on a two to three week internship to several companies”.
Home Affairs Minister, Patricia Gordon-Pamplin noted that this latest STEM initiative is the end product of talks with Premier Michael Dunkley, who was approached during his travels Mr Ray Brooks, Jr, a prominent member of the International Business community, who is the Chief Executive Officer of Grey Castle.
“Mr. Brooks proposed an opportunity for a summer student with his company, Grey Castle, in order to provide practical exposure to International Business. Having gained support for his gesture, Mr. Brooks subsequently arranged to meet with George Outerbridge, the Director of Department of Workforce Development,” said Ms Gordon-Pamplin.
LeVar Bassett, Career Development; Elisha Thomas (Berkeley); Busayo Salawu (Berkeley); Minister of Education, R. Wayne Scott; Ray Brooks, Greycastle Life Re; Ky’Anna Bramwell (Berkeley); Jahstice Trott (CedarBridge); Nathanael Fubler (CedarBridge)”
After learning that the intended recipients of this opportunity would be high school students, the Director extended an invitation to meet with Dr. Radell Tankard, Education Officer with the Ministry of Education who agreed the initiative would be a tremendous compliment to the Ministry of Education’s Career Pathways Programme.
Mr Brooks and BILTIR have the shared value of social responsibility as good corporate citizens of Bermuda to provide opportunities for personal and professional development to young Bermudians. In addition to BILTIR, the Young Presidents Organization (YPO) has also committed to support the programme,” she added.
“I am pleased that as a result of these efforts eight students are participating in the programme. Research has shown that high school students who have employment opportunities, mentoring and professional support early on are far better equipped to meet the demands of the competitive workforce than if they enter later in their career. There is a strong correlation between early employment opportunities and reduced high school dropout rates.”
BILTIR Corporate Secretary Wendy Outerbridge said: “We are pleased to be part of this program to provide opportunities for Bermudian high school students to learn more about international business and to gain real-life experience working in our industry.” And she thanked “member organisations for providing work opportunities for our young people”.
Participating organisations include Athene Life Re Ltd; Beechwood Bermuda International Ltd; GreyCastle Life Reinsurance Ltd; Hannover Life Re Bermuda Ltd; Kane LPI Solutions Ltd.; Safe Harbor Re Ltd; Weisshorn Re Ltd; Wilton Re Bermuda Ltd, and Bermuda International Long Term Insurers & Reinsurers.
By Ceola Wilson
