Two budding computer whizzes are having the time of their lives this summer and learning a good deal in the process while working as interns at Logic Communications.

"I'm learning by watching and I'm learning by doing," said Michael Roberts, who has worked at the company during holidays for the past four years. "There's so much to find out about and its providing a good basis for the future."

Wendell Ebbin said: "Once I got a taste of this place I really wanted to come here. I'm learning a lot of new skills. There are a lot of departments here so there are a lot of opportunities to do different things."

Mr. Roberts and Mr. Ebbin, who will both begin studying at Dalhousie University this autumn, are just two of a team of seven interns that Logic Communications has helped this summer in an effort provide Bermudians with much needed work experience in the Information Technology field.

In the past year, Logic has pumped $76,000 into the training and development of local students, some of whom were hired as summer students and others who have received a study grant.

Senior Vice President Bill Dickinson explained that the interns were given as much hands-on work to do as possible, including being given a broken computer and asked to fix it.

"Logic believes in teaching students about the industry through hands-on experience rather than sitting by and watching others work.

"Although this approach uses more resources in man-hours, it is more engaging for the students and more rewarding in the long run."

Mr. Dickinson said he felt the company was an "ideal training ground" because it has multiple departments.

"If a student is doing computer science then he is able to come in and over the course of the summer gain exposure to a number of different areas of the business.

He added: "Information technology is a rapidly growing sector and this will lead toward successful succession plans for Bermudians coming into the industry."

Mr. Roberts said he would like to see more companies making an effort to help younger Bermudians "get their feet in the door" by providing training programmes such as the one at Logic.

"I think this is an opportunity that a lot of kids don't get to have. I feel pretty lucky to be here."