A dozen students have graduated from a public/private partnership designed to encourage Bermudians to enter the Information Technology (IT) field.

The Technology Leadership Forum (TLF) Internship Programme was started by Government in 2009 to help encourage Bermudian students to enter the IT field, and give them hands-on experience.

Each of the selected students was given an internship position at a participating company or institution, and given specialised training

Business Development Minister Patrice Minors on Friday detailed the initiative in the House of Assembly, calling it a success.

“Students often find with the TLF internship programme that they are exposed to numerous areas of IT and are able to interact directly with senior IT professionals,” Ms Minors said.

“This taste of the real world is very important and many of the interns believe that the exposure to the diversity of IT environments within companies, combined with other aspects of the programme, will allow them to successfully prepare for their future careers.”

And she said the scheme is now seeking students interested in participating next year.

“The TLF embodies the ideals of good corporate citizenship in Bermuda,” Ms Minors said.

“Participation in the forum shows an organisation’s commitment in attracting and recruiting Bermudian ICT students, mentoring and networking with these talented individuals and providing the educational and experiential training that will make them invaluable in the ICT community.”

Organisations that participated this year included Belco, RenaissanceRe, Bermuda Hospitals Board, the Department of E-Government, the Department of E-Commerce, North Rock Communications and Bermuda College.

Other participating organisations included Capital G Ltd, Colonial Insurance, Gateway Systems Ltd, QuoVadis, Logic Communication, Independent Consulting Solutions, First Atlantic Commerce, the Department of Labour and Training, Nova Ltd and Ignition.

Recruiting for 2011 will take place Monday, December 20 at the Royal Bermuda Yacht Club between 5.30pm and 7.30pm.