Technology interns broaden their horizons

One organization is doing its best to ensure Bermudians are qualified to take jobs.

This month saw the launch of the sixth annual Technology Leadership Forum (TLF) Internship Programme.

This year six technology interns were successfully accepted into the summer programme. The 2014 TLF interns who passed the rigorous selection process are: Mpumelelo Richards, Colisha Smith, Samuel Matthews, Daniel Walker, Dante Richardson, and Ciera Fox.

The interns will have three training weeks as part of their  twelve-week summer internship programme that combines classroom learning, team projects, and fieldwork at participating companies. 

Last Friday they were at Digicel. Digicel Bermuda director of Business Solutions, Michael W. Branco, led the workshop which covered such topics as coding, databases and software development.

“Digicel Bermuda is committed to supporting Bermudian talent,” stated Mr. Branco. “As a leader in both telecommunications and ICT, of course we want to interact with these technology-focused young people and help them to achieve their goals.”

“The interns were very intelligent and eager to learn, which really made the day a pleasure. We hope to continue to support the TLF in subsequent years by hosting workshops for students with a keen interest in technology.”

A TLF press release said “this combination of theoretical learning and on-the-job practice is to ensure that the interns acquire a rich experience in the ICT industry. Moreover, participants are encouraged to network and develop relationships in the ICT community during the programme which may then assist them as they eventually search for employment”.

The TLF was founded seven years ago as a response to the growing need for qualified Bermudian talent in the information communications technology (ICT) field. It aims to encourage Bermuda’s information technology (IT) students to become exposed to the many career paths which they can pursue in the industry. 

Dion Tucker, CIO, Bermuda Hospitals board and chair of the TLF, said: “We found that many students, after having studied for four years in University, required career direction and real world work experience. 

“The TLF attempts to bridge this gap through two main pillars: internship and mentoring. The TLF offers university and college students the opportunity to incorporate textbook concepts with on-the-job experiences. 

“It also allows them to explore the world of work through interaction with professionals in the Technology Industry, and build meaningful professional relationships over the 12-week-period.”

It is expected that interns graduating from the programme will become respected and accomplished members of Bermuda’s ICT workforce through experiencing the program and the specialized training offered.

Chris Phillips, a 2013 TLF Intern who was chosen as the Outstanding Student for his year and presently working at CCS, said:“I found my TLF experience to be informative and eye-opening. I came into the programme blindly confident that I wanted a career “working with computers” without a real knowledge of the scale of the industry. 

“I was exposed to various facets of the IT industry, some I hadn’t considered and others of which I was unaware. 

“The TLF programme presented an opportunity to make an educated decision on the direction of my career in IT. Beyond exposure to IT career paths, equal attention was paid to the soft skills of succeeding in the workplace. 

“The chance to form impressions on key players in Bermuda’s IT industry was invaluable. 

“I have seen that TLF graduates are well-rounded, confident and ready to show what they’re made of. The relationships formed with my group and our administrators, I am confident, will last a lifetime.”

Education and Economic Development Minister Dr Grant Gibbons said: “As technology needs keep increasing across most industries, the demand for talented IT resources grows. 

“To date, the TLF Internship program has helped prepare 40 interns for careers in the ICT field, many of whom are now employed with local companies.