Bermudians Jamar Dill and Zeeko Johnstone have successfully completed a six-month Aecon airport redevelopment project internship programme.

Mr Dill and Mr Johnstone are employed with the Ministry of Public Works and interned with Aecon, employer partners and technical team members in Toronto.

Mr Dill worked with Mulvey & Banani International Ltd while Mr Johnstone interned with HH Angus & Associates. They were fully integrated into various design/engineering teams with their host firms and worked on a variety of projects related to their fields of expertise, a statement said.

In addition, the interns participated in a series of dynamic training courses offered through Aecon University, the statement said. They were assigned a mentor who helped them to create an individual development plan to ensure that they maximised the opportunity the programme affords.

The objectives of the internship programme, the statement said, are the building of leadership skills, technical skills development, expanding industry knowledge, building a professional network, and experiencing Canadian culture.

Mr Dill said: “The Bermuda airport internship programme was a complete success. Over the past six months, I have gained invaluable work experience through complex project exposure at Mulvey & Banani International and while attending informative training events at Aecon headquarters. Collectively, the programme increased my engineering knowledge and equipped me with new design skills that I look forward to utilising and implementing here in Bermuda. I would like to thank the Ministry of Public Works, Aecon and Skyport for this priceless opportunity.”

Mr Johnstone added: “I would also like to thank Skyport, Aecon, HH Angus, and the Government of Bermuda for giving me this amazing opportunity. I gained so much knowledge of new cutting-edge software and designs in the field. It was a fantastic experience for my personal and professional development.”

Frank Ross, Aecon’s executive advisor, said: “Jamar and Zeeko have spent the last six months working with top companies in Canada and shadowing the best in the industry. I have no doubt they will take the skills they have learned here and apply them to their everyday work in the Ministry of Public Works. We wish them all the best in their future endeavours.”

David Burch, minister of public works, said: “The Ministry of Public Works is committed to the education and training of our young people and this internship programme is a great example of that commitment. Jamar and Zeeko will come back to Bermuda more knowledgeable and skilled in their respective fields. This wouldn’t have been possible without Aecon, HH Angus & Associates Ltd and Mulvey & Banani International Inc and on behalf of the Government, thank you.”

The Bermuda internship programme team, the statement said, consisted of executive programme sponsor Mr Ross; SVP of human resources and programme director Gordana Terkalas; human resources business partner and programme lead Val Deline; and immigration and mobility manager, Lisa Reich.

The redevelopment of LF Wade International Airport, which was recently recognised with the IJ Global Magazine Award for the “2017 North America Airport Deal of the Year”, is expected to be completed in 2020.

Bermuda Skyport Corporation Ltd is a special-purpose Bermudian company wholly owned by Aecon Concessions, the company says. Skyport is responsible for the LF Wade International Airport’s operations, maintenance and commercial functions. Skyport also manages the delivery of the redevelopment project over a 30-year concession term and is overseeing the construction of a new terminal.

Aecon Group is a Canadian construction and infrastructure development company providing integrated turnkey services to private and public sector clients through its concessions division, the company says.