Talented young university students will be learning about the business world while working on a community project this summer as part of a ten-week internship programme.

The 12 students began the programme yesterday and will work in Bermuda?s financial, insurance and accounting sectors at ACE Group of Companies, Bank of Bermuda and Deloitte.

The programme, which runs until August and is in its third year, is designed to give students a taste of the working world and an introduction to career opportunities at these companies. The internship also selects a community project for the students to support, and this year the Sandys Secondary School Community Sports Centre will be supported by the Summer Internship Programme (SIP) students who will develop a business plan to help move the organisation forward.

The Sandys Secondary School Foundation, which is working to raise $5 million, hopes to break ground this summer and begin building a 25-metre swimming pool, a fitness centre and a gymnasium as part of a recreational and community centre.

At a Press conference yesterday representatives from the three companies and the Foundation expressed their delight at offering the summer experience. ?This programme gives us the excellent opportunity to go beyond the boundaries of our company and into the community that supports our business, enables us to recognise the talent the Island has to offer, and proactively provide effective learning opportunities,? said Andreas Lewin, president of ACE Tempest Re.

Stuart Mcleod, head of human resources at the Bank of Bermuda, said the students will be put to work helping to design an information guide for the bank?s customers.

?This programme helps to prepare young Bermudians to enter into a fast changing business environment and encourage them to focus now on planning and preparing for a successful career,? he said. Although the students are not guaranteed job placements after they graduate from university, many have been able to network with their peers and business leaders in Bermuda.

McKeisha Smith, a senior consultant at Human Capital Deloitte said, ?We were tremendously impressed with the quality and eagerness of our students last year. ?We are very excited about repeating this successful programme and training young Bermudians to enter the increasingly complex financial services industry in Bermuda.?

Foundation chairman Walter Roberts said he was looking forward to working with the group of students. ?We are extremely grateful for the opportunity to work with the programme to develop an effective funding appeal for the community sports centre.

?The centre has been designed with Bermuda?s youth in mind so we are particularly pleased that these young university students will be instrumental in moving the project towards completion.?