More than 50 Bank of Bermuda staffers headed to Spice Valley Middle School yesterday to inform the youngsters about roles at the bank, the many different careers available in the banking sector and educational requirements for different jobs.

The school visit was the third outing of the bank's new community action days, in which bank staff are given one half-day off work in order to volunteer their time in the community in one of three areas ? environment, housing or education.

Bank chief executive Philip Butterfield, who participated in yesterday's project, said the Action Days are proving popular with staff.

Over the last two events ? a Railway Trail clean-up in May and a housing improvement project which saw staffers help to paint and clear debris at two new homes being refurbished for needy families in June ? roughly 150 bank employees took part.

"Today marks the start of the weeklong educational component of our commitment to the community," Mr. Butterfield said yesterday.

"I was impressed by the dedication and enthusiasm of those involved in previous projects and the result of our efforts. Today, I am equally impressed with the enthusiasm on display."

But Mr. Butterfield said the true measure of success of the bank's programme will be whether other local businesses are inspired to get similarly involved.

"It is only when we all join together as a community that we can have a growing impact in improving education and inspiring our youth," Mr. Butterfield said. "Today we plant the seed; tomorrow we watch out youth grow."

Over this week, 175 bank staffers will visit five public Middle Schools to assist in various projects.

"At Dellwood Middle School, staff will be involved in reading programmes, at Whitney Middle School, staff with act as teachers' aides and at Sandys Middle School staff will work together gardening and painting and at Clearwater Middle School staff will give a helping hand in refurbishing the library," a bank press release said yesterday.

Spice Valley principal Dawnelle Walker said that the visit of the bank employees had been a "blessing".

"Today has been a successful event and has left many of our students with information about careers that they know very little about," Ms Walker said.

"The more our students are exposed to the opportunities for employment available in Bermuda, the more likely they are to set a career goal and remain focussed on it.

"This is critical because our students are Bermuda's future."