Hundreds support online International Careers Day forum
A smart gadget, Internet access, and a social media account could be your gateway to accessing in-demand STEM careers.
Members of the public learned this on Wednesday, when Junior Achievement Jamaica (JAJ), in association with HEART Trust/NTA and the Ministry of Education staged an open online forum as part of the observance of National Careers Week, observed February 13-19.
Wednesday was International Careers Day.
Hundreds of viewers logged on to the platform from their homes, schools, and offices to view the presentations of the 17 guest speakers from the United States of America and the United Kingdom and engage in a series of questions and answers and other discussions.
“The event is the first of its kind in Jamaica. There was an impressive line-up reflective of the STEM careers — industries spanning technology, medicine, agriculture, employers, entrepreneurship, media, creative industries/entertainment, tourism, and finance and banking,” Paul McFarlene, marketing manager at the JAJ told the
Jamaica Observer.
The event, which focused on the use of social media in exploring careers that are in demand, is the product of a desire to encourage and empower individuals across all age groups to widen their career options, to include entrepreneurial skills.
President of JAJ, Alphie Mullings-Aiken, said the event, which was hosted under the theme Vision 2030, was befitting since it aligned with the development targets of the Jamaican workforce being equipped to meet global demands; and of businesses being prepared for change in a continuously evolving global economy.
“We saw the need to have persons understand more about what is involved in some industries across the world. It is important to guide our population, especially our youth in making wiser career choices,” Mullings-Aiken said.
“We wanted to explore the needs for the future and how persons can adequately prepare for what is required to excel in the years to come. The format allowed persons to get guidance and learn from the experience from some of the top experts in the various industries explored,” she continued.
Mullings-Aiken said the JAJ intends to host the conference next year as well. She also lauded the Ministry of Education, HEART Trust/NTA, Citi, Ernst&Young, General Electric, Insurance Company of the West Indies, the Jamaica Observer, Scotiabank and Vision 2030 for their sponsorship and input in the programme.
JAJ is a registered non-profit organisation focused on preparing youth aged five-24 to be globally competitive in business and to own their economic success.