Aspen Re is offering rewarding underwriting careers to Bermudian graduates to build the future of the company's growing property reinsurance business.

"We established the Aspen Bermuda office in December, 2002 and our strategy includes developing and training our own staff," Aspen Re chief underwriting officer and head of property reinsurance James Few said.

"Our favoured way to do that is to bring in high quality individuals at a young age and we are keen to employ intelligent, ambitious and motivated people."

Aspen Re writes a broad spectrum of specialty insurance and reinsurance lines and has offices in Connecticut and London where the company was established in June 2002.

Aspen Re is looking for Bermudian graduates to participate in its group graduate programme so they can join the company's underwriting and business support teams.

Graduates from the programme will work in Aspen's Bermuda office specialising in property reinsurance or structured risk.

"If we hire high quality individuals here in Bermuda we feel confident that we can provide them with the skills to become important participants in Aspen's business plan."

The two year programme aims to provide the essential training and tools needed to excel and is designed to ensure graduates have the skills and knowledge to build a rewarding and challenging career.

The programme, which has the full support of Aspen Group CEO Chris O'Kane, was established in 2003 and two Bermudian graduates have entered the programme and are now working for Aspen Re.

"If you successfully complete the programme you take up a position as an active member of the underwriting team and learn your trade as an underwriting assistant for one of the underwriters," Mr. Few said.

The programme provides on the job training, sponsorship of professional training and the opportunity to learn about other parts of the organisation.

Adrienne Smith, an underwriting assistant with Aspen Re is a current member of the programme and is working in property reinsurance.

"When I learned about Aspen's programme I learnt that I would have the opportunity to working closely with an underwriter and get the full experience of working while being taught the process which has been very beneficial," Ms Smith said.

The closing date to apply for the programme is March 3 and application forms can be found by visiting www.aspen.bm/graduates.asp or aspenHR@aspen-re.com.