Schoolchildren were yesterday praised for their part in a government work experience programme which was cut short by the Covid-19 pandemic.

The closing ceremony could not be held for the professional-student relationship programme, but everyone who contributed this year got a special round of thanks.

The pupils learnt about the world of work in the automotive and construction field with help from the Office of Project Management and Procurement, the Ministry of Public Works, the Department of Planning, the Department of Health, and the Department of Workforce Development, in partnership with Bermuda Motors Limited.

Workshops and presentations from the Ministry of Public Works’ trainees Tre Caines, Zeeko Johnstone, Jamar Dill and Jarreau Daniels were also part of the programme.

The team covered architectural design, mechanical and electrical engineering, and energy management systems.

The youngsters were shown the ropes by government technical officers Derrick Simmons, Omar Douglas, Armell Thomas and Kevin Brown in construction site safety, building control, and residential plumbing systems, and Vanbi Holdipp organised transportation and construction site visits.

Kevin Brown gave a presentation on tools and materials and put together a simulated residential plumbing system, at the Government’s Prospect Depot in Devonshire.

The pupils competed to rebuild the plumbing system in the least time after they got a chance to examine it.

The human resource department of the Ministry of Public Works organised visits to the Tynes Bay incinerator, as well as to the Government Quarry.

A Government spokesman thanked Bermuda Motors, including managing director William Medeiros, Reno Mascetti, Craig Trott, and their team of technicians, for workshops on automotive engineering and auto body repair.

The CedarBridge Academy pupils who took part were Devin Augustus, Asrael Basden, Shawn Bremar, Rico Carreiro, Kevin Davis-Edwards, Coleridge Fubler, Jaden Furbert, Bruce Gibbons, Gatwoine Minors, Lejae Nisbett, Tybrae Robinson, Wahhaj Shakir, Jibri Smith and Andre Woolery, along with former pupil Kenneth Pushá.

Impact Mentoring Academy pupilsIsaiah Cameron, Ziun Castle, Sebastian Davis, Preston Dowling, Dominic Every, Eze Hart, Saige Hewey, Trey Vance, and Maasai Wilson also completed the programme.