A programme designed to encourage young people's interest in information technology has kicked off its second year at the Bermuda College.

The Technology Leadership Forum (TLF) will span 12 weeks of the summer months.

It is designed so student interns at participating companies gain hands-on experience in the field of information communications technology (ICT) while also taking classes on the subject.

The programme was founded three years ago by the Ministry of Energy, Telecommunications and E-Commerce in partnership with private sector technology companies.

It came about through an identified need for qualified Bermudians in the ICT industry.

Energy, Telecommunications and E-Commerce Minister Michael Scott said: "This Government has demonstrated that we are committed to children and family, and part of that commitment means that we must prepare our young people for the future.

"There are an exciting range of IT careers available to our young people in Bermuda and a variety of ways that industries are using technology.

"As the demand for talented ICT resources grows in both the public and private sectors, we are confident that the TLF pilot programme will provide ICT students with a well-rounded and in-depth understanding of the technology industry in Bermuda."

TLF is sponsored by the Bermuda Hospitals Board (BHB), Belco and Renaissance Re.

"BHB is proud to be a partner in (TLC) to support young Bermudians who are training to work in the technology field," said BHB's chief communications officer Jorge Grillo. "This programme will provide a great learning experience for young Bermudians and, we hope, our involvement will introduce them to the challenges and rewards of being an IT professional in a health care environment."

Added Belco's vice president of information technology Christian Blais: "By providing an environment for mentoring, training and real-life exposure to technologies used in Bermuda's business community, the TLF initiative will bridge a very important gap in the development of young Bermudians who aspire to work in the IT field."

Meanwhile, Dion Tucker, of Renaissance Re, said: "Part of our responsibility as IT executives is to ensure that a pipeline of diverse capabilities exists.

"TLF involves highly supportive and motivated IT decision makers who believe in developing IT talent for the future.

"Sometimes, as IT executives/managers, we spend more time worrying about how to execute on multiple projects and/or fight the next fire, while failing to focus more of [our] energies on the most important assets: our people. A programme such as TLF will help organisations focus more on cultivating and recruiting top tier IT talent."

l For more information on the Technology Leadership Forum's Intern Pilot Programme visit www.TLF.bm.