Government Launches 2026 FLIP Internship Programme For Young People
The 2026 bmobile Future Leaders Internship Programme (FLIP) was launched on Thursday, with Government positioning the initiative as part of a much larger transformation plan for TSTT.
More than one thousand young people are expected to benefit from the programme in 2026.
But according to Minister of Public Utilities Barry Padarath, the initiative represents more than internships.
« We were not about creating a nation of grass cutters, but we are a nation of creating cutting technology. And today is a commitment to that. When this programme was first envisioned, it was meant to be a training programme that will inculcate a sense of work, a sense of duty, and opening up opportunities that ordinarily did not exist, particularly in the public sector, for those within the age group of 17 to 25. »
The Minister said Government is preparing to reposition the State-owned telecommunications company.
« In a few short months, we will have the launch where TSTT will no longer be just a telecommunications company. It will be a technology-based company where telecommunications will be a component. And therefore, when the Chief Executive Officer spoke about new areas of business interest, new models. We are talking about data centres. You are looking at new areas of technology where you are creating microchips to put into the laptop computers. »
Acting Chief Executive Officer of TSTT, Keino Cox, explained the three components of this year’s programme.
« Technology, innovation, robotics. And we’re so proud this morning to partner with NIHERST, as you hear more about NIHERST and our partnership this morning, to deliver these core mandates. The second major area is digital media and content creation. And again, in our increasing digital world, we get our media not from above the line again but from social media. And thirdly, digital growth and what we call ‘tech entrepreneurship’, which really means how do you have every small business owner, whether it be an SME, a burgeoning sole trader, to grow their business through not only telco services but also expand their operations through digital services. »
Minister of Education Dr. Michael Dowlath said the programme will train young people to be critical thinkers.
« Through this experience, with this internship programme, you are allowing our young people to get themselves involved in real experiences, to solve real problems that will allow them to open doors to a world of opportunities, not just for employment, but they will understand through this Corporate Social Responsibility programme of TSTT. »
Minister of Tertiary Education and Skills Training Professor Prakash Persad reminded young people that the internship can have a huge impact on their future.
« I would say myself to be an old Flipper, because many decades ago, as an undergraduate student in electrical engineering, I had the opportunity to do a small internship, a short internship, at T&TEC. And up to today, I still realise and recognise the value of that. »
Graduate from last year’s cohort, Rebekah Maharaj, shared what she learnt from the programme.
« To give some insight, the programme covered many areas: cybersecurity, AI training, to résumé writing and emotional intelligence. Personally, I resonated the most with the areas on soft skills, because I truly believe that it takes you far, not only in the professional world, but also in your personal life. »
The 2026 edition of FLIP is expected to commence in July.
