SCORES of students from tertiary-level institutions in Jamaica have received summer employment with bauxite and alumina company Jamalco at its Clarendon and Manchester locations.

Human resources manager Christopher Buckmaster explained that despite the ongoing challenges and constraints in the industry, the company remains committed to reaching out to students in its operating areas.

“This programme is embedded in the culture of the organisation as for more than 20 years, Jamalco has been welcoming students to work in its operations,” he said.

“We believe that the summer programme is also important because not only does it provide exposure and experience for the participants, but also provides funds that will assist the students with back-to-school expenses,” Buckmaster added.

Every year, hundreds of applications are received from students seeking summer employment and this year just over 100 students benefitted. The summer employment programme, which runs from June 1 to August 31, will gives students exposure to the world of work.

In addition to targetting students from its operating areas, the company also targets children of its employees for participation in the programme.

Compensation and benefits administrator Jennifer Bell, who manages the programme, noted that the focus has always been on placing persons in critical departments where assistance is required.

Students are currently assigned to the engineering department, the laboratory, administrative offices, the lands and mining operations, among other areas.

First-year media and communications student at the University of West Indies (UWI) Chevell Mason said the experience provided good exposure and the hands-on training was quite beneficial. She added that the money she earned will help to pay her boarding fees and the other expenses that she will incur during the upcoming semester.

Other students also had high praise for the programme. Kadeem Khaleel, who attends the University of Technology and is pursuing a double major in land surveying and geographic information science, is one of them.

He noted that the experience is helping him to hone his skills as a prospective land surveyor.

“I actually get an opportunity to go out into the field with Jamalco’s surveyors and to use the instruments to do surveys,” he said excitedly.

Monique Johnson, who lives in Mineral Heights and attends UWI, said the programme is ‘great’, providing her with the chance to interact with people from different backgrounds. She is pursuing degree in marketing management and is assigned to the human resources department.

Another UWI student, Rico Phillips, is assigned to the clarification department in the heart of the bauxite process. He is currently pursuing a double major in industrial chemistry and education.

“It’s unbelievable how much I have learnt since I’ve been here and I now have a full understanding of the chemical process. So far, the programme has been educational and fun,” he said.