KINGSTON, Jamaica — Government Senator Marlon Morgan is urging eligible young Jamaicans to seize the opportunity to earn while studying by applying for the HEART/NSTA Trust-facilitated LEAP (Learn, Earn, And Prosper) programme before the September 15 deadline.

“The HEART/NSTA Trust-facilitated LEAP Programme is a timely and empowering intervention by the Government as it offers young people a unique opportunity to earn a monthly stipend through internship while they pursue a post-secondary programme of study and career development to enhance their personal and professional growth,” Morgan said.

“Participants will receive a monthly stipend of between J$80,000 and J$100,000 to help offset transportation, lunch, and other living expenses. I am appealing to our young people to grasp this opportunity with both hands, and benefit from this welcomed, career-enhancing and life-impacting initiative,” he added.

In underscoring the career-building opportunity, Morgan pointed out: “Graduates leave with HEART/NSTA Trust certification, and quite importantly, the courses are specially designed to give trainees work experience which will put them in good stead to secure immediate employment in seven key and high-demand areas of the economy.”

Applicants must be 17 years and older, and be either enrolled in, or a recent graduate of, a local undergraduate programme in one of the following priority sectors:
●Construction & Built Environment
●Manufacturing & Engineering
●Transportation & Logistics
●Agriculture
●Creative Industries/Creative Arts
●Information Technology
●Policy, Public Administration & Law

“It is good that the Government is making resources available to facilitate our young people in this way, given the financial challenges many of them and their families have to endure as they pursue studies and invest in their future,” Senator Morgan stated.

“As the September 15 application deadline approaches, I take the opportunity to appeal to members of Parliament, councillors, caretakers, community-based organisations and other influential members of society to point eligible young people in the direction of the LEAP programme, encourage them to apply and even assist where possible in getting youngsters signed up for the programme.”

Applications are available online at http://www.heart-trust.org. Supporting documents include: a valid government ID, TRN, NIS, and proof of enrollment in an undergraduate programme, or proof of recent graduation status within 1 year.