Students get a taste of work life at careers fair

From architecture to nursing, the public and private sector showcased careers on offer in Bermuda.

Hundreds of students packed the Bermuda College halls yesterday to learn about specific jobs and occupations.

The two-day event continues today, presented by the ACE Foundation with Government and corporate sponsorship.

International businesses, Government departments, the Bermuda Hospitals Board, banks, retail and trade companies manned stalls to give information and answer students’ questions.

Among the booths were Bermuda Gas, Belco, the Association of Bermuda Insurers and Reinsurers, Bacardi, MediaHouse and various hotels on the island.

Demonstrations

But it wasn’t all work. The Bermuda Fire and Rescue Service conducted rescue demonstrations and the Bermuda Police Canine Division also staged a dog-handling display.

Some of the island’s top musicians also performed to an enthusiastic crowd. Among them were Chewstick and Mia Chambray of Mohawk Radio.

There were also opportunities for students to get hands-on work experience, such as the Ministry of Works and Engineering’s cutting torch demonstrations.

Seventeen-year-old Teriann Smith, of the Bermuda Institute, was shown how to cut a straight line through metal, by welder, fabricator and fitter Maki Bean.

She said: “I enjoyed it, and have enjoyed the fair.

“I’m here to test out different things to find out what I want to do. It’s opened up to me all the different options out there.”

Theresa Ince, executive administrator of the Construction Association of Bermuda, said: “We’ve been very busy with lots of kids asking questions.

“I think it’s great. The number of careers out there are so diverse.”

Ari Ming, a Government architect with the Department of Architectural Design and Construction, discussed various careers and demonstrated the basics of structural design.

Showing students a diagram of skyscrapers around the world, Mr. Ming encouraged them to ‘construct’ squares out of children’s wooden building sticks and pipe cleaners.

Opportunity

“This is an excellent opportunity for the kids to learn about technical careers,” said Mr. Ming, who is principal of the Institute of Bermuda Architects.

At the MarketPlace stall, manager Kay Paynter said staff had been “very busy”.

“We had about 150 kids who did our questionnaire and who were interested in the company.

“We’ve also had a couple interested in the various jobs we have, such as becoming a baker.

At the Bermuda Police Service booth, a Police spokesman said: “As usual we’ve been quite busy with students coming by and asking various questions, so it’s been a good day.”

Customs officer Craig Lightbourne also reported a keen interest in H.M. Customs. “The response has been very, very good,” he said.