Petrojam Limited ensured the employment of over 200 students during the summer holidays through its Annual Summer Employment Programme.
The programme which runs from June 3 to August 22, seeks to provide students the opportunity to engage in practical tasks that reflect real world working experience.
The programme is operated in two phases for six weeks at a time. The company welcomed the first batch of students on June 3 and the second batch on July 15.
While Petrojam was not able to host all students, the company arranged with several government and service organizations such as the Jamaica National Children’s Home, the Young Men Christian Association, The Institute of Jamaica, among others to provide them with employment; while the company provided remuneration.
Speaking at the orientation session, Human Resource Manager, Mrs. Andrea Bent encouraged the students to make the best of the opportunity that has been granted to them. She noted that the students will gain knowledge of the operations of the company as well as learn life skills to carry on into the working world.
The students are placed in departments within the company relevant to their fields of study. Some students are assigned specific projects during their stint; at the end of which they do a formal presentation of their findings and recommendations.
Please see highlights of the student’s experience as well as the views of the students about the programme:
“As I walked through the gate of Petrojam on June 3 for my summer work experience, I knew it would have been a success”.
– Catherine Cornwall (Logistics & Marketing, Petrojam)
“I have not only applied formulae, used technical vocabulary, interpreted technical documents and understood technical processes but I have also learnt about interacting with colleagues.
The programme provides many facets of experience and it bolsters one’s resume.”
– Stephen Campbell (Petrojam’s 2012 HJ Fenton Scholarship Awardee – Refinery Production, Petrojam)
“I had a good learning experience. It surely felt good to make the children smile and to receive a hug. These children have demonstrated to me how fortunate and blessed I am and I am glad to
have been afforded the opportunity to share with them.”
– Shanique Sergeant (Jamaica National Children’s Home)
“The experience was beyond what I had imagined. I have built steps towards being a more effective and efficient individual.”
– Renae Pearce (Ministry of Science, Technology, Energy and Mining (MSTEM)
