TRYALL, Hanover — Despite having experience in retrofitting cobra head street lights and training students to install Light Emitting Diode (LED) tube lights, Joseph Harmond, a student engineer at Caribbean Maritime Institute (CMI), admits he was apprehensive when selected for an internship programme at Tryall Club, the prestigious country club resort in this western parish.

“A bit nervous was my first reaction to interning at the Tryall Club,” Harmond said.

He had never worked on golf carts before and he didn’t know what to expect.

“But upon arrival, being introduced to the team, I felt right at home. The extensive mechanics and equipment provided by Tryall Club engineering team made working easy and efficient,” he continued, adding that the experience was “very fulfilling”.

Harmond was one of two trainee engineers from the CMI, who last month participated in a one-week internship programme which focused on rebuilding golf carts.

The other, Leo Hyman, who has experienced sailing on the Baltic and North seas in the capacity of engine cadet aboard the M/T Pateal, said he, too, was very anxious to get started on what he called “another challenge”.

The CMI is leading research in hybrid electric golf cart technology in Jamaica, which is intended for use at the Kingston ports. That fits perfectly in the day-to-day operations at the Tryall Club, as golf carts are the primary means of transportation for guests while on property. To that end, both men expressed that the training was worthwhile.

To many, Tryall Club’s selection of the two CMI students was no surprise, as the resort is actively involved in the development of skilled workers. Apart from engineering, Tryall also has internship programmes in villa management, food and beverage, housekeeping, environment, and accounting.

“The CMI and Tryall Club have in common their tireless and life-changing educational contribution which we make to the community and which we do under the radar. Our partnership will be a mutually enriching experience and in the process, will provide important on-the-job experience for CMI students,” said Dr Geneive Brown Metzger, International Chair for the CMI and homeowner at Tryall Club.

CMI is a tertiary institution funded by the Jamaican Government. It trains engineers and technicians, including those for the highly anticipated Logistics Hub.

Chief engineer at the Tryall Club Astley Thompson worked closely with Harmond and Hyman during their internship and described them as diligent and accurate.

Herman Shim, a researcher at the CMI, commended the engineering team at Tryall Club for opening its doors to facilitate a major chapter in the interns’ lives, and expressed hope for future internship programmes with the club.

“Industry professionals’ involvement in a student training programme is highly recommended. It is not only important in growth and development of our youth, but also aids with future job placements as they have some experience in their field of choice,” said Aram Zerunian, the managing director of Tryall Club.

At the end of the internship, Zerunian donated two golf carts to CMI on behalf of the club for further testing and remodelling.