Interns love BRIDGE

A valuable programme to Barbados and the wider region.

This was the common view shared by interns of the Building Capacity and Regional Integration for the Development of a Generation of Entrepreneurs (BRIDGE) Sustainable Energy and Information and Communication Technologies Programme.

Speaking to members of the media during yesterday’s closing workshop at the Welches offices of the Inter American Development Bank, University of the West Indies Cave Hill Campus student Chad Browne
described the educational experience as a wonderful one.

“My experience in this programme allowed me to get a little more information on renewable energy companies in Barbados and to know what is renewable energy, to know about solar and wind energy and the developments that we have been doing in Barbados and across the region,” he said.

He worked alongside colleague Micah Rice in developing an online portal for renewable energy companies and those interested in the sector, to be able to connect and interact via forum.

“For me, the internship was very educational and also guided me to specifically the career path I would like to pursue within the energy industry, which is that of an energy consultant or renewable energy consultant…I enjoyed it. It was very good gaining experience within the field,” he stated.

Meanwhile, one of the few young women in the project, Monique Holder, said the initiative helped to develop her skills in software engineering.

“I did Computer Science at the University (of the West Indies) and I was not exactly sure which area I wanted to go into, but being a part of the internship I really got an idea of where I wanted to go into in the future, and I really do enjoy software engineering and testing and even the documentation process,” she said.

She also encouraged more females to get involved “as anyone can do it”, noting that times are changing and the bias that existed before against women is no longer there.
(JMB)