Summer Employment Programme begins

Bermuda’s “exceptional” university students have returned to the island to get “real-world work experience”. 

The 2013 Summer Employment Programme (SEP) got underway this week with more than 150 Bermudian college students working throughout Government, the private sector and the Bermuda’s local non-profit and charitable organizations.

Minister of Home Affairs, Michael Fahy, met with approximately 20 of the students on the Cabinet Office lawn to offer the youngsters his well wishes for a productive summer season.

 Minister Fahy said in a press release: “The SEP continues to be a very positive and worthwhile initiative and it is evidence of this Government’s continued commitment to provide development and training opportunities for all to support a sustainable workforce.”

 Minister Fahy explained that while the Summer Employment Programme has been a long-standing initiative of the Department, it has most recently been overhauled and modernised to assist participants in the development of their career goals by connecting their summer work experience to their academic learning. 

He said: “Participants are provided exposure to employment opportunities within Government and the private sector where they learn leadership and decision-making skills and are exposed to career and work competency standards.

 “We recognize that it is important that we provide genuine opportunities for our next generation whether they are embarking on their studies or about to enter into the workforce by affording our young people access to real-world work experience, training and support.”