Bermuda College and the Ace Group have formed a strategic partnership to help open the doors of the corporate world to College students.

The threefold vision of the programme is "alignment, connection and success", said Rees Fletcher, Ace Bermuda president and chief executive officer, as students can align their studies with workplace needs, connect with professionals and prepare for successful careers.

Through the partnership, Ace will work with the College to offer mentoring, work shadowing programmes, internships, student tours, networking and more.

The company currently has 50 Bermuda College graduates among its staff, including Mr. Fletcher himself.

"Ace is also an Investor in People," Mr. Fletcher said. "We want to extend that investment to reach our college students as well as our employees. We are now working with the academic staff at the College to develop programmes that will help clarify the alignment of academics with the work place and help students make the connection between the subjects they study and the work place they will eventually enter."

Mr. Fletcher said the company would be nurturing "future employees not only for Ace but also for Bermuda".

College president Duranda Greene said the timing of this partnership is perfect. "The recent overwhelming success of the free tuition initiative, and the resultant 25 percent increase in our enrolment figures is proof positive that Bermuda's students recognise the benefit of a college education and will take advantage of opportunities provided to obtain it," Dr. Greene said. "This is particularly applicable as Bermuda, along with the rest of the world, braces itself for economic belt-tightening and fiscal prudence."

Dr. Greene said, as a veteran educator, she strongly recommends "because of these uncertain economic times, that now is the perfect time to take personal inventory of one's employment marketability".

She added: "Persons should consider augmenting their résumés or portfolios with a module, course or programme offered at Bermuda College in the event you need or are required to make a career change. It just makes good business sense."

Dean of Students Sheridan Talbot will be leading the programme at the College. Ms Talbot noted that while this programme particularly offers opportunities for students in the College's business division, students in other departments can also benefit from the wide variety of jobs which fall under the Ace Group's umbrella.

"This partnership will provide our students with the opportunity to network with persons working at Ace in a range of careers such as human resources, accounting, child care, cafeteria management and so many more," she said.

College students will be sought, wherever possible, for entry level positions as well as internships and work placements at Ace and Ms Talbot noted that some Ace employees have already volunteered to tutor students in maths and accounting.

Ace will also participate in the College's advisory board and programme review committees "tasked with ensuring our curriculum remains current so that our students are equipped to meet industry standards", Ms Talbot added.