CPJ awards scholarships to employees' children

The recipients, ages six to 22 years old, received scholarships ranging from $20,000 to $100,000 under the company's scholarship awards programme now in its 15th year. The scholarships were presented at an awards ceremony at the company's boardroom at Montego Freeport on August 15.

CPJ Human Resource Manager Petra-Ann Williamson said the company assists its employees with their children's education, as part of its service commitment.

Encouraging parents

"We know that this kind of support being offered to our staff will redound to the benefit of CPJ in its delivery of service to all stakeholders," she said.

Added CPJ Chairman Mark Hart: "In awarding the scholarships, we want to recognise not only the work of the children in pursuing their education, but to encourage the parents who are our employees to be as involved as they can in supporting their children's development. We recognise that the parents' role in the children's lives is integral to their performance and ultimate success."

For CPJ Chief Executive Officer Tom Tyler, the scholarship programme was highly anticipated by the company's directors, who look forward to making the yearly disbursements.

Making a difference

"At the awards ceremony, I witnessed the superb performance of a dialect by seven-year-old Tashieka Welsh, a three-time beneficiary of the scholarship, and had the opportunity to interact with some brilliant children," he stated.

"The experience, for me, was confirmation that the programme is making a difference in the lives of these children and, by extension, our employees."

Hart said the programme began some 20 years ago with the Hart Group of companies, of which CPJ is a member.

"At that time, we operated the garment factories, employed thousands of persons and disbursed scholarships to hundreds of outstanding students," the chairman reminisced.