Twelve students participated in the inaugural internship programme offered by the Colonial Group.

The company said the programme is intended to foster, educate, and empower young Bermudians, instilling in them the conviction to pursue work in the insurance industry.

Colonial said that work placements ensured interns gained exposure and insight into the diverse functions of a local insurance company.

Creating a work environment that allowed employees to quickly provide guidance and professional direction, each intern was matched with a coach with whom they shared common traits, who acted as a mentor, adding to interns’ personal and professional development.

Jordan Smith, one of the interns with Colonial Insurance, said that he was fully supported by “individuals who have previously taken designation exams to ensure that [he was] on the correct path and moving at the best pace possible”.

The other students, who are all aged between 17 and 21, were Chelsea Rodrigues, Christian Petty, Donnauri Robinson, Ezra Turner, Julianna Brewer, Kiara (Starr) Rogers, Makyla Callender-Jones, Marley Hines, Sacara Phillips, Tierrai Tull, and Yusef Bushara.

A spokesman for the company said: “We firmly believe in the benefits of an interdisciplinary working and learning environment.

“In harmony with that philosophy, throughout the programme two teams of interns collected research on how to leverage technology for the improvement of customer and internal relations. Their project culminated with a formal presentation to their mentors, managers and company executives.”

Other highlights included a community service day at Packwood Home, in Somerset, where interns washed windows, cleaned the beach and mowed the lawn before engaging with the residents through conversation and games.

Julianna Brewer, an intern with Colonial Medical, said: “It was profoundly enriching talking to people with so much knowledge.”

The programme provided interns with the opportunity to attend “lunch and learn” events as well as having a fireside chat with the company’s group general counsel, and participating in a team building day at Outward Bound.

Application details for Colonial’s 2020 summer internship programme will be released later this year.