The Economic Development Department (EDD) approved a grant to give five Fintech students from The Berkeley Institute the opportunity to intern at Chubb and Paradise Mobile to gain real-life experience and to see how fintech, artificial intelligence (AI) and digital technology improve the company’s effectiveness and efficiency in the workplace. The students include Musa Abdul-Jabbar, Shiloh Cruickshank, Natalia Dill, Zane Furbert-Tankard, and Dunnajai O’Mara.
Premier David Burt, JP, MP stated, "When the Minister of Education, the Hon. Crystal Caesar, and I visited The Berkeley Institute, we saw these students present fintech solutions that were practical and forward-thinking. Now, through their internships at Chubb and Paradise Mobile, five of them are building on that work, applying their skills to real projects, and gaining insight into how technology is shaping industries. These are the types of experiences that we want our young people to engage in to shape Bermuda's digital future. This government is proud to invest in initiatives that create opportunities for young Bermudians. I thank the Economic Development Department for providing the grant that made this invaluable learning experience possible for these students."
Minister of Education, the Hon. Crystal Caesar, JP, MP stated, “In June, I spoke about preparing our students for jobs that do not yet exist. Seeing these young people now take what they have learned in the classroom and apply it in professional environments is what Signature Learning is all about, equipping our students with the skills, adaptability, and vision to thrive in the future.”
(Educator) Ms. Dee-AH Iris, Fintech Instructor at The Berkeley Institute, stated, “This is just one of the ways that Premier Burt and our government is keeping their commitment to ensuring that our young Bermudians advance in the Fintech, Artificial Intelligence (AI), and Digital Technology fields.” In the fall of last year the Economic Development Department was instrumental in the roll out of the Bermuda Coders initiative, making available multiple online courses in Digital Technology and Coding to both students and teachers. Berkeley’s Fintech students had 100% successful completion of the AI Fundamentals Certification.
At Paradise Mobile, the students received a comprehensive overview of their operations, including sessions on their vision and operating model, marketing approach, customer engagement processes, product strategy, and network operations. They also had the opportunity to shadow customer support and sales processes, observe frontline teams in action, and engage in discussions on how we design and deliver our services to customers in Bermuda. They have also been given hands-on practical project management experience. Nico Gonzalez, Chief Digital Officer at Paradise Mobile, “At Paradise Mobile, we’re deeply committed to supporting young Bermudian talent and helping to build a tech-savvy local workforce for the future. It’s been a pleasure working with such creative and driven students this summer and we’re excited to see how they’ll continue to innovate and grow. We wish them all the best in their future endeavours and look forward to seeing the impact they’ll make on Bermuda’s digital landscape.”
Natalia Dill, Intern at Paradise Mobile, “My summer internship at Paradise has been a truly rewarding and transformative experience. It opened my eyes to new fields, particularly within the tech industry-that I had never considered before. I had the opportunity to gain hands-on experience and develop valuable skills across several departments, from sales, technology, and marketing. The knowledge and growth I’ve gained here have made a lasting impact, and I’ll carry these lessons with me well beyond my time at Paradise.”
At Chubb, the students have been learning about Chubb’s digital business, which focuses on leveraging technology to enhance insurance offerings and improve customer experience across the globe. They have each built out insurance propositions which included a pitch deck, marketing plan, and rating algorithm for a sample eCommerce or Fintech platform addressing 3 audiences: the customer, the merchant/seller, and the platform itself. They’ve also been competing with the other interns on a Business Simulation, where they’re acting as the CEO for a digital insurance company, attempting to grow revenue, limit losses, and manage expenses by making strategic decisions in the face of adverse events. Patrick, “I was very impressed with the strategies that both Shiloh and Zane researched and implemented during the simulation. After four rounds which included several natural disasters, political unrest, and a world-wide cyber-attack, Zane is currently in the lead due to effective investments in risk management, reinsurance, and cyber security.” By the end of the summer, the students will have had the opportunity to explore new technologies and gain exposure to actuarial, claims, legal, and underwriting disciplines.
As stated by Maryem Biadillah, Acting Director of the EDD, “The EDD is pleased to find ways to create pathways for young Bermudians to thrive in today’s technology-driven economy. Programmes like this internship give students practical exposure to real-world applications of emerging tech, ensuring that they develop the skills, confidence, and networks to not only compete, but also lead. In doing so, we strengthen Bermuda’s position as a hub for innovation and opportunity.”