Information Technology professionals will now be able to mentor schoolchildren via the Internet. The Ministry of Telecommunications and E-Commerce has partnered with YouthNet and Bermuda College to launch a pilot programme. The programme, ?E-Net e-mentoring?, aims to use technology to increase the amount of mentoring on the Island.

To begin with students from the Bermuda College IT department will be matched with members of the business community.

The focus will be to enhance the students? learning experience and provide them with an opportunity to discuss their learning material with people actually in the field they are studying. All contact will be done via the web.

The pilot programme will run for four weeks. It is hoped that the full launch of the programme will take place in September. The three groups organising the programme hope it will provide students with real world input, increase the number of students mentored on the Island and provide youth development through technology. Logic Communications is providing the mentors and special web browsers for the programme.