PSOJ, NYS partnership targets 5,000 summer job placements
Published:Thursday | April 23, 2015 | 1:07 PM
The private sector has got on board with the Government's summer employment programme, which PSOJ President William Mahfood says ought to be seen by businesses as a way of creating the next generation of entrepreneurs.
"What they (employers) are doing is they're helping their business and at the same time they're helping young people to look at becoming the next generation (of) business people. I think it's a tremendous programme and the PSOJ is very happy to sponsor," said Mahfood at the signing of the memorandum of understanding between the Private Sector Organisation of Jamaica and the National Youth Service (NYS).
The partnership is expected to lead to some 5,000 job placements over the school break for youngsters age 17-24.
The NYS will recruit participants from high schools and tertiary institutions, providing them with the necessary training and orientation ahead of placement with PSOJ member companies.
"The hope is to create the new generation of job creators. The concept of 'we need a job' has to become one where they realise that if they are to become the next William Mahfood or Butch Hendrickson, they really have to go out there and take risks," said Minister of Youth and Culture Lisa Hanna, who participated in the signing ceremony.
The job placements will span at least three programmes run by the NYS: the Summer Employment Programme, the Graduate Work Experience Programme and the Empowerment Programme. The PSOJ says it will promote the relevant programmes among its members and provide support at orientation sessions.