It was all smiles in a crowded Cabinet Office room as Education Minister Dame Jennifer Smith thanked organisations that have signed on for a work experience programme.The Career Pathways programme has taken flight, with 223 public senior school students working at 43 different businesses and ten Government departments since school began last month.Dame Jennifer handed out certificates of appreciation to those who joined the initiative, run by her Ministry in partnership with the Bermuda College.The two-year, weekly programme is being offered to S3 students at the Berkeley Institute and CedarBridge Academy, as part of the current school year.It offers five pathways: early college; applied technologies; athletics, arts and communication; health and human services, and business and hospitality.Berkeley principal Michelle Simmons told the participants: “We’re delighted that so many businesses have taken up this mantle, to invite our students, our young people, Bermuda’s future, into their institutions and help them learn and grow in addition to what they’re learning in our classrooms.”Thanking the Ministry of Education, CedarBridge head Kalmar Richards recalled how a day spent at the Gilbert Institute during her own student days had inspired her to pursue a career in education.Dame Jennifer confirmed that Career Pathways will be an ongoing school programme.“Our industry partners should feel a sense of pride and reward knowing that they are helping to shape, nurture and develop the next generation of contributing men and women,” she said.