LNG provider New Fortress Energy (NFE) has, for the past seven years, invested heavily in several educational programmes at the tertiary level to help build and grow the STEM capacity in Jamaica.

One such programme is its tertiary engineering internship for engineering students completing their first degree at The University of the West Indies (The UWI); University of Technology, Jamaica (UTech); and Caribbean Maritime University (CMU). For six weeks interns get the opportunity to make meaningful connections and gain first-hand experience in the world of liquefied natural gas (LNG) and cryogenics, while bringing their youthful drive and fresh ideas to the business.

Today, several of these interns are beaming with a feeling of accomplishment and purpose, knowing that their hard work and excellent performance during their internship landed them full-time employment with the company. They include Adam Bogle, Jada-Rochelle Walker and O’Brian Simpson from CMU; Terrain Turner from The UWI; and David Smith from UTech.

Smith, a mechanical engineering major, completed his internship at the Montego Bay LNG terminal in 2021. He was beside himself with excitement when he received a call from NFE in July 2021, one month after completing his internship.

“When I received the call I still had a year, plus a summer session, to complete my degree but, thankfully, NFE was so impressed with my performance as an intern that they waited until I completed my studies. Now that I am here I am always motivated to work hard and learn more. It’s just an amazing environment for young people to learn and grow,” he said.

Smith joined the company as a full-time operations technician in August 2022, just days after completing his last exam at UTech.

Walker, who studied mechatronics engineering, said she felt like she was part of a community that encouraged her to learn and contribute to discussions and tasks during her internship.

“Overall, my internship provided a solid foundation, instilling confidence and building on the competences needed for a seamless transition into my current role. I’m now able to apply myself even better and build on these experiences, take on more responsibilities, and contribute to the team and the company’s overall success,” she said.

Walker first interned with NFE’s small-scale team, then at its Old Harbour Marine Terminal in July 2023. She joined the team full-time in February 2024.

Turner, who studied electrical power engineering, completed his internship at the company’s Combined Heat and Power Plant in Clarendon in 2021. He said his internship exposed him to the roles and responsibilities of an operations technician, based on his interaction with the operators.

“I was also fascinated with the operations of the plant and the company so I ensured that I worked very hard at tasks given and learned as much as I could. Thankfully, my performance and hard work paid off and now I can contribute to the company in a tangible way and learn from a team of highly skilled, educated, and well-rounded individuals,” he said.

Meanwhile Bogle, who studied industrial engineering, said working at NFE has been his dream job since his second year of university.

“As an operations technician I feel a sense of responsibility knowing that I am now part of a critical infrastructure that powers and empowers communities and industries. I’m beyond happy to be here,” he said.

For Simpson, the newest intern to join the team full-time, he completed his internship at the company’s Montego Bay LNG facility in 2021, where he has been employed since March 2024 as an operations technician. He said his transition to full-time employment has been seamless because his internship was very comprehensive and hands-on.

“I’ve always wanted to work with NFE so I did my research into the company and ensured that I made the most of my internship. I admire how the team carries out its daily operations to ensure our customers are always satisfied, and the interest they take in helping young people to learn and grow. I’m very happy to be here and even happier that my hard work paid off,” he said.

His advice to interns is, “Even if you do not get immediate employment, your performance would have left an impression that could land you full-time employment later, as in my case.”

This was also seconded by Bogle who is also encouraging interns to “be a sponge for knowledge and observe the company’s work culture”.

Turner and Smith echoed similar sentiments, adding that interns should, “Network and create meaningful connections with your supervisors and other team members. Most importantly, do your best to fulfil tasks given to the best of your ability.”

From the company’s perspective, hiring interns as full-time employees brings a host of benefits, including introducing high-potential talent to the LNG sector which was pioneered in Jamaica by NFE. Internships also help create a pipeline for talent while contributing to the overall socio-economic development of the country.

“NFE is delighted to play our role in building a robust, knowledge-based economy by providing these brilliant, up-and-coming engineers with meaningful internships that can create direct employment for them,” said Verona Carter, vice-president at New Fortress Energy. “Now that they’ve completed their studies and are working full-time, they can play their part in nation building. STEM is the future, and we’re pleased to be part of the growth and development of this all-important sector in Jamaica.”