The ACE Group, Bank of Bermuda and Deloitte Touche have again partnered together to offer the 2006 Summer Internship Programme (SIP) to young Bermudians looking for careers in international business.

"We wanted to join together for a common goal to attract the best business students in Bermuda and provide them with an opportunity to work in each of the partnering companies," Deloitte Touche senior manager assurance and human capital Julie Marr said.

"This will give them a very well-rounded experience and enable them to make informed career choices," she added.

Bank of Bermuda human resources relationship manager Nicole Outerbridge said the ISP will allow the interns to get exposure to three local institutions that play an integral role in the Island's business sector.

"The interns will learn leadership and analytical skills and about the various products and services each company provides," Ms Outerbridge said.

"All three companies have experience running internship programmes but we wanted to structure a very unique offering to ensure the students have practical experience working for these organisations," ACE director of learning and development Ivy Kusinga said.

"The idea was to give them a real life experience in our world, so they will find out what is it like to make financial decisions at the Bank of Bermuda, be an underwriter for ACE and be an accountant for Deloitte."

Shana Hayward, a Butterfield Bank management trainee who participated in the SIP last year, said: "One of the major benefits I gained from the programme was developing a sense of professionalism.

"You learn what is expected of a young person in business, how exactly businesses operate and what you need to succeed in the business industry.

"I also learned presentation skills as you have to know to speak and write well. At the end of the project we had to make a report."

Monique Lister, also a Butterfield Bank management trainee who participated in the SIP, said: "I learned about not only what each does but the distinct culture each company."

Ms Hayward added: "The SIP has a developed a high level of respect within the community and at our interview at Butterfield Bank just being a SIP participant distinguished us from other applicants.

"We were valued as already having the qualities the Bank was looking for in an employee."

Motivated and bright students who are keen to learn and work well in a team are the ideal candidates for considerations.

During the ten-week programme the interns undergo training and are grouped into small teams to work on group projects while rotating for each of the companies.

Each of the companies has its own structure and objectives but the students must learn and have a good understanding of what each company does.

In addition to the corporate side of life, the SIP promotes the principle of good corporate citizenship through a community service project.

In 2005, The Sandys Secondary School Sports Centre, was selected as the community project for that year.

The SIP team, working with the Sandys Secondary School Foundation, developed an appeal strategy to help raise funds required to complete the construction of the centre and were required to make a report and recommendations to project stakeholders.

The internship will run from June 5 to August 11, 2006 and 12 applicants will be selected.

The closing date for applications for the internship programme is December 23 and in person interviews will be held from December 28 until January 6, 2006.

To apply send a resume and two character references with a cover letter to Marisa Hall at marisahalldeloitte.bm.