Rising stars of the Virgin Islands financial services sector received a boost as the Tomorrow’s Leaders Internship Programme gave 26 youths work experience within top-tier firms in the territory.
The initiative, led by BVI Finance and the Ministry of Financial Services, Economic Development and Digital Transformation, provided participants with first-hand insight, skills and connections intended to “shape their futures and the future of the jurisdiction,” according to organisers.
“This initiative is not just about internships,” BVI Finance CEO Elise Donovan said. “It’s about building a resilient, future-ready workforce that will sustain and elevate the BVI’s financial services industry for years to come.”
Ms. Donovan added that the initiative, which is in its second year, has expanded.
“The growth of the Tomorrow’s Leaders Programme shows that our industry partners share this vision,” she said. “We’re preparing these students not just to enter the workforce, but to lead it.”
The programme placed college students and recent graduates across 21 firms in the financial services industry.
The students were schooled in “professional etiquette, digital branding, résumé building, and navigating the modern workplace,” according to BVI Finance.
“Having experienced firsthand how transformative internships can be, I know just how important early exposure is in shaping a meaningful career,” said Shamahl Smith, programme lead for the initiative at BVI Finance. “Opportunities like this open doors, build confidence, and give young professionals a chance to discover their path. It’s incredibly rewarding to now be part of a programme that’s creating real pathways for the next generation and helping to shape the future of the BVI.”
Several students returned to firms where they had interned previously, and some received offers for full-time positions, according to BVI Finance.
