Premier and Finance Minister Paula Cox dropped in on the Bermuda Monetary Authority (BMA) to meet the Authority’s graduate trainees this week.During the informal meeting, the Premier said that the BMA’s Graduate Training Programme (GTP) was very practical and commended it for the secondments in the private sector.Ms Cox congratulated the trainees on their hard work and hinted that work placements between the Authority and relevant Government ministries could be further developed in future, for example in the Treaty Unit of the Ministry of Finance.The graduate trainees said they relished the opportunity to meet the Island’s leader.“It was truly an experience that I will never forget,” said BMA graduate trainee Vashun Blanchette.“Madam Premier spoke with all of the graduate trainees individually.”Mesheiah Crockwell, head of the GTP and assistant director, resourcing and technical development at the Authority, said that Wednesday’s visit was an example of the kind of unique opportunities that the programme provided to young Bermudian graduates.“Financial regulators play vital roles locally and overseas,” Mrs Crockwell said. “So it should be no surprise that it is a key objective of the BMA to resource the Authority with knowledgeable, Bermudian regulators. The GTP is one of the main avenues that the Authority employs to achieve this objective.”The BMA launched its three-year GTP in 2008. Mandatory rotations across various departments in the Authority last a total of 24 months and are followed by nine-month secondments in the industry and three-month secondments with regulators overseas. Upon successfully completion of the GTP, the trainees will be offered full-time employment as BMA analysts.Jeremy Cox, the BMA’s CEO, said: “Through mentorship and leadership, the GTP ensures that each trainee becomes a key resource at the Authority. The addition of secondments in the private sector and overseas regulators also ensures that trainees have a well-rounded experience.”