Bermuda is empowering a generation of IT professionals who will help drive the Island's expertise and innovation in ICT in the future.

That is the view of Minister of Energy, Telecommunications and E-Commerce Michael Scott, who was speaking at the Technology Leadership Forum IT Student Networking Event held at the Fairmont Hamilton Princess recently.

The second Technology Leadership Forum (TLF) Internship Programme, which aims to encourage the country's youth to become more interested in IT, got underway at Bermuda College on May 31.

Students selected for the TLF Internship Programme have been participating in an intensive 12-week summer internship programme, 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 in partnership with private sector technology companies and organisations three years ago because of an identified need for qualified Bermudian talent in the ICT field.

The TLF comprises key leaders in the technology industry in Bermuda, whose prime objectives are to encourage dialogue, address issues, propose action steps, and to be a networking group among their peers.

Minister Scott said the TLF was just the kind of initiative that would help to address the shortage of experienced Bermudians in the IT sector.

"The TLF has been running for several weeks and last night's event in which IT students, former and current TLF Interns sponsors and members of Bermuda's ICT community came together at a IT student networking event that provided opportunities for students to gain insights into the local industry and meet those who are at the forefront of ensuring Bermuda remains a competitive ICT jurisdiction," he 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."

TyRay Lathan, a former TLF student from 2009 now working at Independent Consulting Solutions Ltd., said: "The TLF is an excellent experience for anyone interested in the field of Information Technology. It shows individuals exactly what to expect when coming into Bermuda's IT industry. I encourage all interested to try and take advantage of this insightful opportunity."

Belco, RenRe, Bermuda Hospitals Board, E-Commerce, E-Government, KeyTech Group, Edmund Gibbons Group, Nova, Northrock, QuoVadis, Department of Labour and Training, Bermuda College, ICS and the the Accountant General partnered up with Government to provide sponsorship and support for the programme.

For more information on the Technology Leadership Forum's Internship Programme visit www.TLF.bm