Technology Leadership Forum Underway At College
The second Technology Leadership Forum (TLF) which aims to encourage Bermuda’s youth to become more interested in information technology (IT) got underway at Bermuda College today (May 31).
Students selected for the Technology Leadership Forum (TLF) will be part of an intensive 12 week summer internship program, where they will acquire experience in the ICT industry through both classroom learning and fieldwork as members of staff at a participating company.
The TLF was founded by the Ministry of Energy, Telecommunications and E-Commerce three years ago because of an identified need for qualified Bermudian talent in the information communications technology (ICT) field and is run in partnership with private sector technology companies and organizations.
The TLF comprises key influencers and leaders in the technology industry in Bermuda. Their prime objectives are to encourage dialogue, address issues, propose action steps, and to be a networking group amongst peers.
The Minister of Energy, Telecommunications and E-Commerce Michael Scott said the TLF was just the kind of initiative that would help to address the shortage of experienced Bermudians in the IT sector.
Today in announcing the initiative, Minister Scott said:
This Government has demonstrated that we are committed to children and family, and part of that commitment means that we must prepare our young people for the future. There are an exciting range of IT careers available to our young people in Bermuda and a variety of ways that industries are using technology. As the demand for talented ICT resources grows in both the public and private sectors, we are confident that the TLF pilot program will provide ICT students with a well rounded and in-depth understanding of the technology industry in Bermuda.
Minister Scott also thanked the numerous companies which have partnered with Government including BELCO, RENRE, BHB, E-Commerce, E-Government, KeyTech Group, EGL – Edmund Gibbons Group, Nova, Northrock, Quo Vadis, Department of Labour and Training, Bermuda College, ICS and the Departments of E-Commerce, E-Government and ITO for their sponsorship and support of this program.
Sponsors such as the Bermuda Hospitals Board, BELCO and Renaissance Re took the opportunity today to offer their endorsement of the programme.
Bermuda Hospitals Board’s (BHB) Chief Information Office, Jorge Grillo, said:
BHB is proud to be a partner in the Technology Leadership Forum to support young Bermudians who are training to work in the technology field. This programme will provide a great learning experience for young Bermudians and, we hope, our involvement will introduce them to the challenges and rewards of being an IT professional in a healthcare environment.
Christian Blais Vice President of IT at BELCO, said:
By providing an environment for mentoring, training and real-life exposure to technologies used in Bermuda’s business community, the TLF initiative will bridge a very important gap in the development of young Bermudians who aspire to work in the IT field.
On behalf of Renaissance Re, Dion Tucker said:
Part of our responsibility as IT executives is to ensure that a pipeline of diverse capabilities exists. TLF involves highly supportive and motivated IT decision makers who believe in developing IT talent for the future. Sometimes as IT executives/managers, we spend more time worrying about how to execute on multiple projects and/or fight the next fire, while failing to focus more of their energies on the most important assets: Our people. A program such as TLF will help organizations focus more on cultivating and recruiting top-tier IT talent.
Minister Scott delivered the following remarks:
Good morning everyone,
The Technology Leadership Forum (TLF) was founded three years ago because of an identified need for qualified local ICT talent in Bermuda. This group, made up of key influencers and leaders in the technology industry in Bermuda, came together with the objectives to encourage dialogue, address issues in the local ICT field, propose action steps, and to be a networking group amongst peers.
The TLF is designed to be the voice of the ICT industry representing both large local and international businesses, in partnership with The Department of E-Commerce and other government partners, to assess and strategize about addressing the shortage of qualified individuals in the IT sector. Their goal is to contribute to advancing the agenda of creating a sustainable, qualified and professional ICT leadership pool of resources in Bermuda.
There are an exciting range of IT careers available to our young people in Bermuda and a variety of ways that industries are using technology. The reality is in today’s world the use of technology is a critical factor in the success of any business, large or small. Technology also enables us to think outside the confines of our 21 square miles and offer services around the world. We should never limit our horizons to our local community.
To encourage and cultivate our young people’s interest in IT careers, the Technology Leadership Forum have created an Internship Program, designed by the Ministry of Energy, Telecommunications and E-Commerce, in partnership with private sector technology industry companies.
As the demand for talented ICT resources is a growing need in Bermuda’s public and private sectors, the TLF internship program will give ICT students a well rounded and in-depth understanding of the ICT industry in Bermuda.
The students selected by the Technology Leadership Forum will be part of an intensive twelve week summer internship program, where they will acquire experience in the ICT industry through both classroom learning and fieldwork as members of staff at a participating company.
This year twelve college-level students pursuing technology-related degrees will participate in the program from the end of May to the end of August culminating in students receiving a certificate of excellence, which will allow industry partners to know the level of expertise the student brings to the table because they successfully completed a curriculum designed by the TLF partners.
During the classroom training sessions, students will be focus on modules such as Business Continuity, Project Management, Data Warehousing, Programming, and Networking, to name a few.
These modules will be taught by industry professionals and are meant to provide the students with a basic overview of the topics. It is the hope of the TLF that these modules will encourage students to focus on areas of study which are of the greatest need in Bermuda businesses.
One of the benefits of this internship program is the networking opportunities available to the students and our local ICT partners. Our partners know that students graduating from the program can become beneficial members of the company’s workforce with experience and hands on training. And one of the successes from last year of which we are certainly proud was the hiring of TLF graduates by RenRe, BHB and ICS.
There will also be networking events for other IT students who are not in the TLF programme so that they might meet industry professionals and even learn how they can participate in the TLF next year.
A program such as this could not be possible without sponsors and partnerships. I would like to thank the major sponsors: BELCO, RENRE, BHB – Hospital, E-Commerce, E-Government, KeyTech Group, EGL – Edmund Gibbons Group, Nova, Northrock, Quo Vadis, Department of Labour and Training, Bermuda College, ICS and the Departments of E-Commerce, E-Government and ITO for their sponsorship and support of this program. I would also like to thank the Ministry of Labour and Home Affairs for their support of this program.
This Government has demonstrated that we are committed to children and family and part of that commitment means that we must prepare our young people for the future. At the end of the day this programme is about jobs. It is also about inspiring the next generation of technology leaders that can help fuel innovation and using technology to help everyone, everyday, everywhere.
This program opens doors and it will be up to individuals to decide what use they will make of them.
Thank you.
For more information on the Technology Leadership Forum’s Intern Pilot Programme visit www.TLF.bm.
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