MANCHESTER, Jamaica – Manchester-based, youth-led non-profit Aspirar Jamaica has officially launched the iAspire Internship Programme, an initiative designed to equip young people with meaningful work experience, professional mentorship and networking opportunities as they prepare to enter the workforce.

According to a release from Aspirar Jamaica, the inaugural eight-week programme welcomes 10 interns from the parishes of Manchester, Kingston and St Elizabeth. The participants, who represent a diverse group of talented young people, will receive structured mentorship, professional development and a stipend from their respective host organisations.

The initiative aims to help bridge the gap between education and employment. Through hands-on workplace experience and career guidance, participants will strengthen both their technical and interpersonal skills while building the confidence needed to succeed in today’s evolving job market.

Delivering the keynote address at the launch on Saturday, June 27, at the Manchester Youth Innovation Centre in Mandeville, Founder and Executive Director of Aspirar Jamaica, Jerome Hanson, encouraged the inaugural cohort to embrace every opportunity for learning and growth.

“Your future is not determined by your age. It is determined by your willingness to keep growing,” he said.

Hanson said the iAspire Internship Programme reflects Aspirar Jamaica’s commitment to investing in young people by creating meaningful pathways from education to employment through mentorship, workplace exposure and professional development.

The programme received strong endorsements from civic leaders, including Mayor of Mandeville and chairman of the Manchester Municipal Corporation, Councillor Donovan Mitchell, who, according to the release, described the initiative as an important investment in Jamaica’s future.

“Programmes such as these are not just preparing young people for jobs but preparing them for leadership, entrepreneurship, responsible citizenship and lifelong success,”  Mitchell said, while addressing attendees at the launch.

Encouraging participants to cultivate strong personal values alongside professional skills, he added, “Your attitude, integrity and willingness to learn will often take you further than your qualifications can.”

Custos of Manchester, Garfield Green, also welcomed the initiative, noting that it complements broader efforts to strengthen communities through youth development.

“This initiative aligns with the Manchester Believes Values and Attitudes Initiative, where we are helping people to rise, grow and become people of worth. Your initiative embodies this mission. It will open doors, strengthen character, and give our young people the confidence and exposure they need to step boldly into the future,” Green said.

He added, “Today’s launch demonstrates your determination to empower young people to discover their potential and pursue excellence with dignity and purpose.”

Members of the inaugural cohort also expressed excitement about the opportunity to gain workplace experience and develop skills that will prepare them for future careers.

Ramiella Williams, a Grade 10 student at Holmwood Technical High School, said she was eager to make the most of the opportunity.

“I feel elated to be a part of this, knowing that I have never been involved with a programme geared towards youth. Now I actually feel like I am fulfilling my purpose. I look forward to learning about how to carry myself in the working environment and how I can apply what I have learned in my life and to be a productive member of society,”said Williams.

Miguel Edwards, a Grade 13 student at New Forest High School, said the programme represents an opportunity for personal and professional growth.

“I feel very good to be part of a programme that seeks to uplift and build youths, and that focuses on teaching them to carry themselves in the working world. I look forward to having a lot of fun,” he said.

Also looking forward to the experience is Odane Davis, deputy Head Boy of Haile Selassie High School, who said, “It is my first time doing this, and I look forward to learning new things.”

According to the release, the interns were selected through a collaborative process involving schools with which Aspirar Jamaica has partnered over the years. Guidance counsellors nominated students who demonstrated leadership potential, strong character and a willingness to learn. Recommended students then completed interviews and pre-placement training focused on workplace readiness, professionalism and employability skills before being selected for the inaugural cohort.

The programme is being delivered in partnership with six organisations committed to developing Jamaica’s future workforce: Tijule Company Ltd, Kaybeez Amazing Pharmacy, Forever Your Trends, Sofiez Beauty Supplies, Signature Products and Awards, and Vertis Technology Solutions Limited. Through these placements, interns will gain practical experience across a range of industries, including retail, fashion and apparel, pharmacy and healthcare, beauty and cosmetics, information and communications technology (ICT), and manufacturing and product branding.

The iAspire Internship Programme represents Aspirar Jamaica’s continued commitment to creating pathways for youth empowerment through education, mentorship and career readiness. By connecting young people with professional experiences and industry leaders, the organisation aims to help participants build the confidence, skills and networks needed to thrive in their careers and contribute meaningfully to their communities.