Getting young Bermudians interested in insurance - that is the message being put out through a soon-to-air on TV video from the Bermuda Foundation for Insurance Studies.

The half-hour long programme entitled 'Set to Succeed' was this week shown to the students and their mentors featured at XL Capital's headquarters on Bermudiana Road.

It focuses on what insurance means and those youngsters who have entered the industry courtesy of scholarships, mentorships, internships and career advice offered by BFIS.

The young insurance professionals talked about their excitement at working in Bermuda's thriving insurance sector, what they studied to prepare for their chosen careers, why they love their jobs, how they found mentors to help them while going through college and starting work and the secret to their success.

Speaking after the presentation, BFIS chairman Brian Hall, said: "I am just overwhelmed by this film - just thinking of where it all started and where we have come to today is a credit to all the students, mentors and companies that are part of BFIS."

Shareka Tucker, who first got involved with BFIS's programme after having worked for a Latin American insurance company and completed her studies at Bermuda College, received a $22,000 two-year scholarship to work at Ariel Re, where she learned general underwriting and claims work.

She went on to study at the University of Hertford in the US before returning home to take up employment with ACE and then moving on to Catlin, where she works today as a catastrophe modelling analyst.

And her message to any young Bermudians out there thinking about getting into insurance is clear.

"I would say go for it, and BFIS should be your number one resource just because it not only helps with mentoring, but it will also help you get a job," she said.

That is a sentiment echoed by Gino Smith, a mentor and assistant vice-president underwriter at XL Capital, who started out with BFIS as a student himself in 1996 via sponsorship to attend Bermuda College and do further studies overseas.

"I am one of the people who have benefited from that programme," he said.

"I worked for XL in Argentina, but BFIS really gave me the context in order to realise my dreams.

"I think it is now about getting the word out to young people about insurance - it is about getting the information out there and that there are opportunities.

"I think the young people need to understand the impact that international business has had on this Island and it is going to have on this Island."

Paul Simons, president of BFIS, was equally impressed by the take-up from Bermudian students coming into the industry in general, and the success of the programme.

"I think it is going tremendously - this was the original showing of the video and the feedback so far has been very positive," he said.

"The great thing about it is that it is all Bermudians involved for the most part and we think putting out a video like this to present to high school children is the most efficient and effective way of encouraging them to consider insurance as a career path."

Mike Fisher, a trustee at BFIS along with Rees Fletcher, concurred: "It has taken us six to eight months since we first came out with the concept of a video to where it is today.

"It is all about understanding Bermuda's insurance industry and we are trying to get the students thinking about a career in insurance and thinking about BFIS and mentoring and helping them think about what they want to do when they come out of college."

The video is due to air on VSB TV next Tuesday, November 27 at 8 p.m. and ZBM the following day at 8.30 p.m.