ILS Bermuda and Bermuda College extend talent pipeline program to 2025

The partnership between ILS Bermuda and Bermuda College, established in 2017 to develop a talent pipeline for Bermuda’s insurance-linked securities (ILS) industry, will continue into 2025.

According to a report by the Royal Gazette, this collaboration aims to enhance students’ knowledge of the ILS, insurance, and reinsurance sectors, providing educational and work experience opportunities that help students build essential industry connections.

Since its inception, the initiative has expanded to include paid summer internships funded by industry organizations exclusively for Bermuda College students.

These internships offer hands-on experience in industry settings, with five organizations participating in 2024: Bermuda Monetary Authority, Marsh Management Services (Bermuda), Hiscox ILS, Integral ILS, and Price Forbes.

ILS Bermuda’s year-round educational program includes multiple learning modules. Students attend panels and networking events at the annual ILS Convergence conference and participate in lunch-and-learn sessions where they engage directly with industry professionals.

The program also offers a mentorship component, where mentors assist students with practical skills such as resumé building, LinkedIn profile development, scholarship and internship applications, and interview preparation, as well as other career development queries

LaVonne Smith, ILS Bermuda education vice-chair and senior vice president at Resolute Global Partners, said the organization is focused on providing a structured program that helps Bermuda College students gain relevant industry skills, along with network connections facilitated through mentorship, lunch-and-learn sessions, and internships.

Ali Arouzi, interim vice president of academic affairs at Bermuda College, acknowledged the impact of the initiative, noting that students have benefited from pairing with industry mentors and gaining internship experience. The lunch-and-learn sessions, he said, help students refine their career interests.

ILS Bermuda chairwoman Jo Stanton (pictured above) added that supporting and mentoring young Bermudians is a core part of the organization’s mission.

“We had an excellent group of students participate in our various education initiatives this year and we look forward to them continuing and completing their studies and joining Bermuda’s risk industry in the near future,” Stanton said.

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