News

George Henry, Gleaner Writer

HALSE HALL, Clarendon:

Scores of students from tertiary level institutions in Jamaica need not worry about summer employment this year, as bauxite and alumina company Jamalco has provided them with holiday jobs at its locations in Clarendon and Manchester.

Human resource manager at the company, Christopher Buckmaster, said Jamalco has, despite the recession, increased the number of summer employees from 50 in 2009 to 65, in response to the hundreds of applications received.

He told The Gleaner that the summer employment programme, which runs from July 1 to August 31, will give students exposure to the world of work.

"The programme is also important because not only does it provide exposure and experience but also funds that will assist the students with school expenses," Buckmaster said.

The company targets children of its employees, as well as students from communities in its operating areas, the HR manager said.

He pointed out that Jamalco tries to respond positively to requests from institutions with formal work experience programmes. Three students from Northern Caribbean University are, therefore, among the students working at Jamalco and another was placed on the request of the National Youth Service.

Critical departments

Jennifer Bell, compensation and benefits administrator at Jamalco, who manages the programme, noted that the focus has been on placing persons in critical departments where assistance was required.

Postings were made to the engineering department, the lands and mining operations, and the laboratory, and other areas.

Second-year Mico University College student-teacher Stacy-Ann Rodney says the summer job is helping her to pay her boarding fees and to buy books.

Rodney, who is from Portland Cottage in Clarendon, said the experience is helping her to be a better and more confident speaker because she is interacting with persons from different backgrounds.

Another student, Rajhni Williams, who is a second-year actuarial sciences student at the University of the West Indies, said the experience has been valuable.

"I have learnt a lot and have developed my knowledge in accounting. It has been fun, but educational," said Williams.