SkillCraft Bermuda is opening applications for the third year of its experiential careers summer youth internship.

The 2024 social-media and marketing internship programme will run from July 1 to August 9 under the guidance of programme director and coach Margot Shane and marketing expert Aziza Furbert.

It pairs students ages 16 to 18 with local businesses and charities who need help with their social media. SkillCraft is accepting 15 student interns and 15 local businesses or charities as hosts for this summer’s programme.

SkillCraft provides young Bermudians with experiential training and work experience in a core business skill, to help them explore, prepare for, and ultimately experience, softer landings in their lives after high-school.

Interns will be guided by marketing expert, Aziza Furbert in acquiring knowledge and skills in the fundamentals of marketing and social media. At the same time, each intern is paired with one organisation as their host, where they practice what they learn through working on their host business’s social media throughout the six weeks. During the programme, the interns will be supported in achieving their personal and professional goals through one-on-one coaching sessions.

Ms Shane was excited to be running the programme for a third year.

“Last summer, we built upon our first year’s successes and cultivated deeper and stronger relationships between students and small businesses,” she said. “We are very proud of the continuous learning and growth of the interns who take part in our programme.”

She said in the second year, they measured seven indicators of job readiness — interest and enthusiasm, willingness to learn, drive, initiative-taking, openness to feedback and problem-solving skills.

Every indicator increased, not only throughout the programme but four months beyond the programme’s end.

“Five of our 15 interns were offered further employment with their host businesses as a result of their work.

“While these are very gratifying results, one of the things we’re most proud of is creating an environment in which participants felt comfortable to be themselves, speak their minds confidently, and learn together.”

The SkillCraft team and various guest speakers will share their expertise to provide real-life experiences to young people that better prepare them for achieving their professional paths.

Students and local organisations who are in need of social-media assistance and are interested in hosting an intern this summer are invited to submit applications.

Applications are open until March 1.