Networking was the name of the game at the BTEC Future Leaders event.

Students from Berkeley Institute and CedarBridge Academy had the chance to meet representatives from companies and organisations from across Bermuda's business community, such as Government, the Chamber of Commerce, the Police, TBI, North Rock Communications Ltd., Ernst & Young and Capital G, while employers had the opportunity to size up potential new recruits.

The event, which is in its sixth year and was held at XL House, kicked off with a welcome address from Dr. Lynn Bak, director of education and leadership at BTEC, and XL's senior vice-president and chairman of BTEC Gavin Arton.

It was followed by a panel discussion entitled 'IT Careers 2008 and Beyond', with panellists Andrew McDowell of TBI, Anthony Francis of Bermuda Government, Brent Furbert of Bermuda Police Service, Vicki Coelho of North Rock Communications, Chris Maiato of Ernst & Young and Michael Salloum of Capital G, and moderated by Bermuda Chamber of Commerce's Ronnie Viera.

But the main part of the event was a one-hour networking session between students and business partners, proceeded by closing remarks to wrap up the afternoon.

Dr. Bak explained that the event was an opportunity for S3 and S4 students to pursue their ICT career interests.

"The event went wonderfully," she said. "We had more than 100 public senior school students here, more than 40 businesses with 60-plus representatives and the goal was to make the students aware of the careers in Bermuda that use technology as a tool in their work. Students had to register in six areas they wanted to pursue and they went up to the company representatives and gave them their resumes and business cards and talked to them and then the representative signed off on their programme.

"The idea is to have students becoming familiar with how careers are really connected."

Buddy Stamper, technical support specialist at North Rock Communications, agreed that the event had been a big success for his company.

"We have got a lot of resumes and a lot of students are interested in the company," he said.

"We have different fields and departments that they could move into and we are trying to find out what their goals are in life and we are able to determine which sort of direction to point them in.

"There are a lot of opportunities for accountants, sales staff and operations for installing equipment."

Students Richanette Burt, 17, and Kandice Smith, 16, both from CedarBridge Academy, were impressed with what they saw at the event and were able to use their time to the best effect to meet up and discuss opportunities available with potential employers.

"The best thing about it was talking to different companies and learning what they offer in IT and business and I have learnt that in IT there are a lot of opportunities and every company needs an IT person working for them," said Ms Burt.

"I want to study computer science and to become a computer technician and go on to become a web designer or graphic designer."

Sixteen-year-old Jericho Tucker, from Berkeley Institute, who wants to become an actuary, said it was just a good chance to learn more about the role and what it involves.