Five Bermudians have started an intensive 12-week summer internship as part of a private sector and Government initiative to encourage careers in the IT industry.The fifth annual Technology Leadership Forum (TLF) Internship Programme launched last week.The 2013 TLF interns are Angelika Wilson, Beckett Simmons, Brittany Easton, Chris Phlilips and Mareliano Jones.They will take part in classroom learning, team projects, and fieldwork as members of staff at a participating company.The TLF was founded six years ago because of a growing need for qualified Bermudian talent in the information communications technology (ICT) field. This registered charity is run in partnership between private sector organisations and the Bermuda Government.Dion Tucker, CIO, Bermuda Hospitals Board and chairman of the TLF said, “One of my guiding principles is to recruit, train and develop world-class IT resources."Starting with entry-level employees with the right skills is important. Critical thinking, problem solving, and communication skills, as well as experience in collaborating on teams are fundamental in today’s business environment."The TLF prepares students for this by ensuring the trainings are relevant to the needs of the industry and are taught by industry professionals.”It is expected that interns graduating from the programme will become respected and accomplished members of Bermuda’s ICT workforce through experiencing the programme and the specialised training offered.Moreover, participants are encouraged to network and develop relationships in the ICT community during the programme which may then assist them as they search for employment.Brian Botelho, a 2012 TLF Intern who was chosen as the Outstanding Student for his year, gave this advice to the incoming students, “A year ago, I started the TLF Programme with relatively little knowledge of what was ahead of me. I was nervous and surrounded by strangers."What I left with, though, was new friends, confidence, and a sense of achievement I had never had before."The TLF is more than just a summer internship programme. It is a place to grow, make mistakes, meet new people, and learn to work with one another. ”Economy Minister Grant Gibbons said, “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 Internship Programme will provide ICT students with a well rounded and in-depth understanding of the technology industry in Bermuda.”Useful website: www.tlf.bm