By Adrian Frater, News EditorWESTERN BUREAU:
IN A bid to assist persons who have been seeking employment at his Montego Bay-based security company, businessman Henry McCurdy, chief executive officer of Last Resort Detective Agency, plans to open a school at the company's new headquarters later this month.
"As much as 60 per cent of the persons who come to us seeking employment are not able to read or write," said Mr. McCurdy, during last week's grand opening of the company's new multi-million headquarters in Catherine Hall, Montego Bay. "We have the space here so we are going to employ some trained teachers on a part-time basis to conduct the classes."
COMPELLED TO SHARE
Mr. McCurdy, who left his job as a police officer 10 years ago and joined forces with his wife, Jennifer, to form the company, said he was fully appreciative of the help, advice and guidance they received as they struggled to make a success of the business and as a consequence, he felt compelled to share his success with others in need of help.
"There have been so many people who have helped and encouraged us over the years," said Mr. McCurdy, who now employs in excess of 100 guards in both Montego Bay and Kingston. "We believe in the concept of sharing your blessings and we believe we have a duty to help others."
As a mark of appreciation, Mr. McCurdy also used the opportunity to hand out commemorative certificates to outstanding employees, a number of businesses, his advisors and the banks he has been doing business with.
A TRIBUTE TO HONESTY
Guest speaker and CEO of Caribic Group of Companies, Gordon Townsend, motivator/ adviser to Mr. McCurdy over the years, described the company's success as a tribute to the honesty, commitment to hard work and the desire to succeed on the part of the McCurdy's, who he said, has made him proud.
The highlight of the ceremony was the presentation of the Merna Davis Scholarship of $50,000 to young Shadee Morrison who earned an 88 per cent average in her Grade Six Achievement (GSAT) Examina-tions. The scholarship is named in memory of Mr. McCurdy's mother, who died last year. It will be awarded annually to the child of an employee.
"I am thankful because this will help to take some of the burden off my parents," said young Morrison, who will now move on from Unity Preparatory School to Westwood High School in Trelawny. "I can't begin to say how thankful I am for this help."
