J Wray & Nephew Limited last week kick-started its ‘Distillery of Talent’ programme marked with a launch event held at the company’s head office in New Kingston.

The launch event, which was attended by 16 shortlisted candidates (picked from a list of over 250 applications), introduced participants to the programme which has been designed to help tertiary students, recent graduates and young professionals take advantage of career development opportunities and a raft of other work and professional networking experiences.

Following an upcoming immersive four-day orientation experience, the candidates, who will again be scaled down to four persons, will be later placed in a number of specialised areas of the business for an 18-month period of internship. Through guided tours, the interns will experience the art of distillation and packaging as they also meet with the masters and a number of other industry experts, providing them the opportunity to acquire valuable insights while gaining exposure to the manufacturing and spirits industry. This, as the new initiative aims to build up a talent pipeline for the future of JWN’s supply chain.

The trainings, to be held across JWN’s manufacturing plants at Appleton Estate, New Yarmouth Estate and Spanish Town Road, are being developed around the areas of maintenance and engineering; environment and sustainability as well as planning and procurement.

Business Social shares highlights from the recent launch event.

From classroom to career: Some of the shortlisted finalists that were invited to the Distillery of Talent launch event held recently. They include (back row from left) Marcell Bramwell, Eoxanne Daley, Jovan Allwood, Sasharee Wallace, Akeeno Dixon, Kevaughn Willocks, Navaskt Young, and Oshane Satchell. Front row (from left): Vanessa Bartley, Tiana Small, Daniqye Crossfield, Khashanti Campbell, and Anthonette Ashmeal

The J Wray & Nephew Distillery of Talent organising committee includes (from left): Shanic Beharie-Lee, Danica Chambers, Shelly Miles, Marsha Cole Hart, Shantaee Lewis, Ashleigh Whittaker, Shainee Myles, Marica Henlon-Dell, and Georgina Rueda.

The shortlisted candidates were invited to a beautifully decorated room at JWN’s Dominica Drive head office to learn more about the Distillery of Talent programme.

Networking in action as J Wray & Nephew Distilleries Maintenance Supervisor Greg Miller (second left) discusses internship opportunities with Akeeno Dixon (left), Oshane Satchell (second right) and Anthonette Ashmeal during the launch event.