KINGSTON, Jamaica — The Petroleum Corporation of Jamaica (PCJ) has expanded its Graduate Internship Programme with an intake of 12 young professionals, the largest cohort since the initiative was launched in 2015.

The PCJ in a release today, said in the previous two years, a total of 14 university graduates participated in the programme and were assigned to departments within the company, which corresponded with their area of study.

“This year, with the involvement of external agencies, the PCJ has broadened the reach of the programme thereby affording more tertiary school-leavers the opportunity to join the workforce,” PCJ said, adding that the participating entities include the Ministry of Science, Energy and Technology, Office of the Prime Minister, Universal Service Fund, Wigton Windfarm Limited and Jamaica Aircraft Refueling Services.

The interns will be carrying out duties in various areas including Information Technology, Human Resources and Administration, Renewable Energy & Energy Efficiency, Property Maintenance, Accounts, Audit as well as Energy Economics and Planning.

The new cohort was officially welcomed yesterday when the PCJ hosted a luncheon. While addressing the gathering, the PCJ’s Group General Manager, Winston Watson noted the company’s awareness of the challenges being encountered by university graduates who are seeking to secure employment.

“We are aware that finding gainful employment after graduating from university with limited work experience can be challenging which is why we started an internship programme to assist young people with the transition from campus to a corporate environment,” said Watson.

Human Resource and Administration Manager, Kirk Johnson expressed similar sentiments, “The PCJ is always supportive of youth development and nation building and we have developed our graduate internship programme to improve the employment prospects of the newest additions to the workforce and also to have hands-on involvement in the development of a new generation of professionals,” Johnson said.

The Interns, who will serve for a period of 12 months, will earn a monthly salary and receive health insurance and other benefits.