bmobile is equipping the next generation with the tools to succeed in modern careers, hosting the orientation for its Future Leaders Internship Programme (FLIP) on Monday, 11th August at both the Centre of Excellence, Macoya, and the Shaw Park Cultural Complex in Tobago.

A total of 600 young people, aged 17 to 21 and not currently employed or enrolled in full-time tertiary education, have been selected from across Trinidad and Tobago to participate in a three-week blended learning programme. They will be trained across five specialised streams: technical, sales, customer service, support services, and quality assurance.

At the Trinidad leg of the orientation, speakers included TSTT’s Acting CEO, Keino Cox; Acting Vice-President of Operations and Administration, Debra Thomas; Assistant Vice-President of Business Sales, Darryl Duke; and bmobile Brand Ambassador and explosive T20 batsman, Nicholas Pooran. In Tobago, Future Leaders were addressed by Rattan Boodram, Vice President of Networks and IT; Reza Hosein, Acting Vice-President of Customer Experience and Marketing; and Onica Blackman, Manager of Tobago Operations.

Acting CEO, Keino Cox described FLIP as “leadership with first-hand experience,” noting that he began his career as a TSTT intern. “That one opportunity laid the foundation for my entire career, and now I have the privilege of leading the very organisation that gave me my start,” he told participants.
He highlighted the competitiveness of the process, while underscoring the programme’s mix of future-facing and timeless skills. “At TSTT, our strongest network isn’t fibre — it’s people. That’s why this programme is designed not just for skills like Artificial Intelligence and Cybersecurity, but also for communication, presenting ideas with confidence, professional etiquette, and managing your presence online.”

Cox encouraged the interns to engage fully, take risks, and embrace mistakes as part of growth. “This is your moment. Make it count. One day, it could be you standing at this podium. You are the generation that will connect Trinidad and Tobago to its boldest future.”

World-renowned cricketer Nicholas Pooran also spoke, sharing the highs and lows of his career, from making his West Indies debut to a devastating vehicular accident that threatened his future. “It was worth it in the end, but it was really painful,” he admitted. “Sometimes you think it’s going to get easier, and it doesn’t. But that’s when you have to trust in your process.”

Reflecting on his setbacks, Pooran said, “Getting into that accident taught me so much about life. It taught me that every day and every moment counts.” He urged the young audience to remain dedicated, believe in their dreams, and take advantage of every opportunity.

The scale of interest in the programme underscores its significance. TSTT’s Acting Vice-President of Operations and Administration, Debra Thomas, noted that more than 17,000 people signalled their interest when FLIP was announced. By the close of applications, 8,652 submissions were received, with 4,659 meeting the eligibility criteria. From that pool, only 600 were selected — 500 in Trinidad and 100 in Tobago.

For participants like 18-year-old Naomi McIntosh from Siparia, the opportunity represents a bridge into the world of work. “I’ve chosen to go into the sales stream because I believe I can find a footing there,” she said. “The FLIP is a blessing because it gives me a chance to learn the fundamentals of work in a modern and technologically advanced setting.”

She added that hearing the stories of Cox and Pooran gave her hope. “We are often overlooked because we have no experience to enter the world of work. But FLIP will give not only me, but 599 other young people, a better chance to take our careers by the horns.”

For Tobago’s Jesaiah Francis, 19, the programme also promises to make him more marketable. “I do have previous experience in customer service, but what is being offered here is a progressive step for me to build my qualifications.”

Running from August 11 to 30, FLIP combines technical training with hands-on experience across five career streams. For the 600 young people selected, it is more than an internship; it is an opportunity to gain marketable skills, forge networks, and take their first steps into modern careers in a highly competitive environment.