The benefits of Government’s summer intern scheme have been praised by Minister of Home Affairs Michael Fahy as he met one of the participants yesterday.

Mr Fahy said the Summer Employment Programme (SEP) was giving young Bermudians “exposure to employment opportunities where they learn leadership and decision-making skills and are given access to real-world work experience, training and support”.

The scheme has 150 Bermudian college and university students completing internships in Government, the private sector and charities.

Among them is Markus Raynor-Brangman, who is working as a trainee pastry chef at The Reefs.

“The location and timing of this summer placement was perfect,” he said. “Working at The Reefs for the summer will further help to prepare me for the upcoming school year.”

The 22-year-old budding chef is entering his second year studying baking, pastry art and food-service management at Johnson and Wales University in the US. After graduation he hopes to work overseas before bringing his skills back home to Bermuda.

He has been at The Reefs since the first week of June working under executive chef Douglas Sisk.

Mr Raynor-Brangman said: “My experience at the Reefs is going really well. I have met many interesting people, developed a different perspective on working in the kitchen, and I’m learning something new every day.

“A typical day at The Reefs involves me doing prep work for the Sunday brunch, crafting various salads and making chowder and sushi. When I am working in the pastry section specifically I usually prep and bake the pie dough and cookies as well as help to craft any pastry item that my chef requires, such as the ice cream sandwiches.”

“What I love about what I do as a pastry chef is the precision of it all — you really have to pay attention to detail and honing that skill is definitely something that I am enjoying, not to mention I love the creativity in designing various pastries. It’s art you can eat.”

Mr Fahy described Mr Raynor-Brangman as a “prime example” of a student whose summer internship complemented his studies.

He added: “Through the Department of Workforce Development, students are selected to participate in the programme based on academic merit, full-time enrolment in a college or university, community involvement, a formal interview, and written essays detailing career goals and educational pursuits.

“Participants are provided exposure to employment opportunities where they learn leadership and decision-making skills and are given access to real-world work experience, training and support.

“The SEP continues to be a very positive and worthwhile initiative and it is evidence of this Government’s continued commitment to provide development and training opportunities for all to support a sustainable workforce.”

Interns are working in fields including international business and insurance, law, hospitality, accounting and marketing, IT, health, education, conservation and public relations.

Each student completing the 10-week programme receives a stipend.

Mr Fahy said: “This Government is heavily vested in our young people and that is demonstrated by our commitment and support of the Summer Employment Programme. The programme was expanded last year to include 150 students, with this number of students also being employed this year.

“It is important that our students are exposed to various work environments which stimulate their career interests. As a result of this meaningful work experience, it is our hope that students will gain invaluable skills that they can use both abroad and in Bermuda.”