The 39 interns who completed an eight-week summer internship with The Jamaica National Group this summer have been recognised for what the bank describes as outstanding contribution during their participation in the JN Project NEXT Mentorship Programme.

As part of their professional development, interns were assigned JN mentors, placed in one of nine teams, and were challenged to identify projects that could enhance the group’s operational efficiency and productivity.

“The projects were innovative and reflected the organisation’s vision of being bold. Also, the standard of the presentations was very high and clearly demonstrated that significant thought and preparation had taken place,” disclosed head of enterprise project management at JN Group, Pam Thompson, who was chief judge.

The winning project was one that proposed to improve customer service delivery. The team included: Jariel Cherrington of The University of the West Indies; Hanif James, Krystal Simpson, and Dimitri McLeod from the University of Technology; Gabrielle Ingram-Palmer, a University College of the Commonwealth graduate; as well as mentors Jason McNeish, group marketing manager and Ricardo Williams, business relationship and sales manager at JN Bank, New Kingston. The team was awarded the CEO’s Award for Innovation and each intern received a $20,000 JN Bank gift certificate.

The second-placed team proposed a project to increase revenue, while the third presented a proposal to enhance people development.

James emerged Top Intern, while runners-up were Kerece Stewart, a student at Caribbean Maritime Institute; Lindsay Pink of the UWI; and Jillian Lee of McGill University, Canada. Most Improved Intern was Tanasha Wellington, a student at the UWI.

“It’s awesome to have been on last year’s winning team and again to be on this year’s winning team,” James disclosed. “I am glad for the opportunity to participate in the programme and to be exposed to excellent customer service.”

For her part, Stewart, who was assigned to the JN Foundation, welcomed the opportunity to have participated in the programme.

“This was my first internship. The experience surpassed my expectations, and I had the chance to engage in projects which helped me to explore my potential,” she said.

Tris Ann Morris, manager for learning, development and performance in JN Group’s Human Resource Development department, pointed out that the mentorship aspect was introduced last year to bolster the existing summer internship programme, which has been ongoing for many years.

“We introduced The JN Project NEXT Mentorship Programme to provide opportunities for interns to integrate their knowledge and theory through practical applications on the job. Furthermore, the interns were assigned mentors to guide their career and personal development,” Morris reported.

Dr Renee Rattray, senior manager, learning, development and culture, The Jamaica Group, explained that the summer internship programme is mutually beneficial to the organisation and students.

“This initiative is another way in which the JN Group impacts the lives of our country’s future leaders. The exposure interns received has assisted them to develop their competency and prepare them for the world of work,” she said.

The Project NEXT awards were presented at the JN Conference Centre on Duke Street, downtown Kingston, on August 18.