Petroleum Corporation of Jamaica and the University of Technology, Jamaica on Thursday launched an internship programme they say is designed to afford young people between 18 and 35 years old the opportunity at a pre-university experience.

The goal, the partners said, is to contribute to the shaping of participants’ future educational and professional pursuits.

A cohort of approximately 250 will be accommodated on the UTech campus over separate three-week periods this summer, during which they will take, based on their interests and academic competence, a wide range of courses designed by the university. Courses include mathematics, English, information technology, electromechanical technology, chemical technology, robotics, land surveying, entrepreneurship and basic construction.

The first training period commenced on May 20, with the final one ending on July 20.

As PCJ explained, participants will attend classes between 8:00 am and 9:00 pm in groups not exceeding 25, and will be taught for a combined total of 25 hours for each instalment of the programme.

Field trips and workshops geared towards improving participants’ decision-making skills and reinforcing concepts taught will complement the academic component of the programme. In addition to those features, PCJ said students should benefit from academic counselling and interaction with experts in specialised fields, the development of social and interpersonal skills, and the building of long-term relationships through residency on campus.

PCJ reported that participants will each receive a stipend of $45,000 to cover “basic expenses such as subsistence and transportation.”

“The partnership between the PCJ and the University of Technology, Jamaica is an excellent move which can meet the need for further education and skills development that may be experienced by participants,” Minister of Science, Energy and Technology Dr Andrew Wheatley said Thursday.

“I commend both entities for undertaking such a worthy initiative. I want to also encourage all participants to make the most of this opportunity by learning all they can and transferring the knowledge and skills gained for their personal development as well as the productive growth of our country,” he continued.

Professor Stephen Vasciannie, UTech Jamaica president, said, “We believe that the internship programme will, in part, provide an important catalyst towards that goal of undertaking university training while concomitantly opening the minds of others to future earning possibilities.”

Chairman of the PCJ, Russell Hadeed, said while the programme duration is short, “participants will get a fulsome experience that may assist with shaping their future educational and professional pursuits”.

“The PCJ is very happy to be able to provide an opportunity for learning and growth for the participants of this internship programme… The launch of this programme demonstrates our commitment to educating a generation of young Jamaicans who will ultimately contribute to nation building,” he said.

Successful participants are to receive certificates of completion from UTech, Jamaica.