Petrojam Limited formally launched its Graduate Internship Programme at the Jamaica Pegasus Hotel on Tuesday, February 5, under the theme, “Your Time to Shine, Unearth Your True Potential”.
Ten interns were selected to participate in the company’s inaugural internship programme which offers recent tertiary graduates the opportunity to gain practical experience in their respective fields of study over a year. The interns started at Petrojam on January 2.
Guest Speaker at the Launch, Minister of State in the Ministry of Science, Technology, Energy and Mining, Julian Robinson lauded the initiative as one that is of critical importance in bridging the gap between the formal learning environment and the practical world of work. He added that this will help to build the skill sets of young graduates who lack the requisite experience to fill critical vacancies in the local job market.
“We want to develop the skills and expertise within our country so we can retain some of the money that we are sending abroad. There is no reason why we can’t because we have the talent and we have the expertise. It requires exposure and development but it can remain here”, Minister Robinson emphasized.
He commended Petrojam for promoting the development of human capital, noting that it was a significant and meaningful investment in the country’s labour supply. The interns were encouraged to maximize the opportunity afforded them.
Citing the benefits of this investment in the nation’s youth, the Minister noted that an internship programme can bring significant benefits to both participants and organizations.
“This is something that is not just beneficial to the graduates but it is also beneficial to the company because it allows you that opportunity to recruit the best. In the end you will have someone who understand your operations, is attuned to your industry understand your culture and can fit right it.”
Petrojam’s Manager, Human Resource Development and Administration, Andrea Bent explained that the graduate internship programme gives the interns practical experience, while creating a talent pool for Petrojam for future recruitment.
“This programme will not augment the technical capacity of Petrojam in the execution of its mandate as it regards the company’s staffing needs, but will also broaden the talent pool from which other employers can source highly qualified, well-rounded individuals,” she noted.
Meanwhile, General Manager of Petrojam, Winston Watson has pledged the company’s commitment to continuing this initiative so that “graduates can acquire new skill sets, discover new talents and improve their marketability as they prepare for the world of work.”
