Meet three of the Bermuda Telephone Company apprentices:

Staphen Dill, 26, former CedarBridge Academy student.

“I saw the ad a week after it came out on Facebook. I wasn’t originally going to apply but through the wisdom of family members I took the time to and graciously I was afforded the job.

“Growing up, electricity was something I was scared of — I wasn’t that keen or fond of it but this was a very good choice on my behalf as far as getting a career rather than just a job. The stability is definitely a plus. I am learning on a day-to-day basis. I enjoy the outside work: going to people’s homes and seeing the satisfaction of a customer after their phone is fixed. It’s a good feeling to know that what I do on a day-to-day basis actually helps to make someone else’s day better.

“If there is a difficult customer, a willingness to listen is the most important thing.

“Most challenging would be the amount of information you need to retain. They were willing to teach you from ground level and that made me feel a lot more comfortable in terms of applying. You need a willingness to learn, to be very open and have personal drive — those are the qualities I think got me the apprenticeship.

“My advice to anyone considering this would be don’t look at something for what you like but what it could be. Allow it to be an opportunity to take on and work towards rather than saying you are not good at it. Just by me stepping away from my fear of electricity I am actually happier and a better person as far as choices go.”

Jahkote Webb, 20, studied at Nescott College, Epsom, UK.

“I came back to Bermuda in the summer and I applied for a summer job with BTC. They hired me and three months went by and I extended the contract.

“I extended it again then the programme came up and I applied for it. I enjoy meeting new people and get to go to places I didn’t know existed in Bermuda. I have worked with ten different guys and have learnt all different types of ways to do things. I’d like to become one of the best fibre splicers. I want to complete the course and work to the best of my ability. You need to have good problem-solving and team-working skills for this job.

“This team is like a second family — they look out for you. And it’s a lot of fun.”

Rahiem Steede, 20, studied Marine Sciences at Bermuda College.

“My father is a senior technician at this company — Ottis Steede. I grew up around this company, even as a little kid I would come around the yard and see how good of an environment it was. I used to sail — I have been around the world sailing and my first choice was to follow that path. I applied for jobs but kept getting declined so when this opportunity came up I thought it would be a good path to get some training under my belt. I came in with no experience or true insight.

“We are getting enough information to keep gradually progressing. I enjoy everything about it so far, meeting new people, getting beneficial information — it is all exciting because it is new.

“I am taking it day by day. I know this trade can be very beneficial for me in the future even just doing my own technical work around my house — it is an amazing field to have under your belt. We have ten guys with ten different personalities so it is always entertaining.”