CLOSE to 600 young people have received certificates and special awards after completing the Petroleum Corporation of Jamaica (PCJ) Internship Programme, which exposed them to tertiary-level training at the University of Technology, Jamaica (UTech).

A release from PCJ said between May and July of this year, participants enrolled in courses specifically designed by UTech in partnership with the PCJ for the execution of the programme.

“The goal of the initiative was to provide the opportunity for persons to access pre-university training while being involved in activities to assist them in developing critical life skills,” the release said.

For the duration of the programme, candidates had the opportunity to live on UTech’s Papine campus where they also attended classes.

The release said subject areas taught included animation, basic construction technology, electromechanical technology and chemical technology, robotics, baking technology, food preparation, and land surveying. Other elements of the programme, according to the release, included field trips, workshops, academic counselling, physical education, and interaction with experts in specialised fields.

PCJ said the internship programme ended with a ceremony at UTech’s Papine campus on Sunday.

During the ceremony, several students were recognised for exceptional performance including: Sukenia Wilson for animation; Geneva Bailey and Ricardo Fayman for baking technology; Demar Longmore for basic construction technology; Nadesha Pinnock for chemical technology; Aisha Hewitt for electromechanical technology; Samantha Morgan for food preparation; Nikeita McDonald for land surveying; and Shyamaleeswari Dayanandan for robotics.

The release also said that students received special awards for demonstrating positive attributes. These students included: Kelecian Stone and Clive Kidd for leadership; Daniel Gray for being the most supportive participant; and Sukenia Wilson and Recardo Fayman who were the most outstanding female and male participants overall, respectively.

While addressing the closing ceremony, PCJ Chairman Russell Hadeed said: “PCJ and UTech wanted participants to experience learning and life in a campus setting because we knew this could possibly change their outlook, which could then change their future. I commend the participants who took advantage of this opportunity and encourage them to use the knowledge and skills gained to further their endeavours.”