Bermuda IT students or students thinking of pursuing a career in the tech industry will get the chance this week to network with leaders and key players in the Island’s IT industry.The Technology Leadership Forum (TLF) is holding it’s fourth annual Summer Networking Event at the Fairmont Hamilton Princess tomorrow from 5.30pm-7.30pm.The event will give students with an interest in technology the chance to network with professionals in the industry and learn more about the TLF’s 2013 Internship Programme, which will be accepting applications in December.The event will also be an opportunity for IT professionals to provide advice on subjects to pursue in school, details industry trends and information about their respective organisations. It encourages students to become exposed to the many career directions that they can pursue.“The TLF holds the IT Networking events to introduce IT students to local leaders in the business community,” said Christian Blais, vice president of IT for BELCO and co-chair of the TLF. “For the TLF interns, we provide coaching on how best to approach business networking in this less structured, social environment. To further develop these types of soft skills, interns participate in workshops on techniques for public speaking and delivering presentations, as well as resume development and self-promotion.”The TLF is an initiative designed in 2009 by the Department of E-Commerce in partnership with private sector technology companies to prepare the next generation of Information Communication Technology (ICT) professionals in Bermuda. In its first year, TLF had 10 interns, 12 in 2010, 8 in 2011 and eight this year.Students selected for next year’s TLF Internship Programme will be assigned to a position within a company or institution and undergo a programme of practical work experience, classroom learning, team projects examinations and field work alongside ICT members of staff at the companies participating as mentors.Companies providing training this year are the Department of Labour & Training, the Department of E-Commerce, Bermuda Hospitals Board, Belco, First Atlantic Commerce, Ignition, Ernst & Young, Jan Fraser and RenaissanceRe.Sponsors include Belco, the Bermuda Hospitals Board, Orbis Investment Management Limited, RenaissanceRe, North Rock Communications, KeyTech/Logic, CCS, ACT, and Bermuda College.Students interested in learning more about the programme and how to apply are encouraged to attend.For more information visit www.tlf.bm.