GG Encourages Youth to Keep Pace with Changes in the Work Environment

Governor-General, His Excellency the Most Hon. Sir Patrick Allen, is encouraging young people to be mindful of the ever-changing demands of the 21st century work environment, and challenges them to seek new knowledge to enhance their service delivery capabilities.

Speaking at the sixth Summer of Service scholarship awards ceremony at King’s House on Tuesday (August 21), the Governor-General urged the recipients to maintain enquiring and exploratory minds, particularly within their areas of specialisation.

“Take advantage of opportunities that present themselves… (and) weigh the value to be accrued, not only financially but developmentally,” he said.

During the ceremony, tuition fees and grants totalling over $5 million were awarded to 15 young persons pursuing tertiary education at local institutions.

The recipients spent eight weeks of their summer holidays volunteering their services in various organisations as administrative assistants, teachers and caregivers.

“We celebrate (today), a group of young adults who have recognised the enormous value of volunteerism not only to the organisations in which you have served, but also the depth of value to your own development as individuals who will go on to make greater contributions to the society,” he said.

The Governor-General, who indicated that 61 students have benefited under the programme since its inception, said the initiative continues to provide a platform for youth development while engendering a sense of national responsibility.

“Your commitment demonstrates a level of ambition for self-actualisation and a sense of responsibility toward nation-building. It (also) demonstrates your own belief in using what is right with Jamaica to fix what is wrong,” he added.

The Governor-General expressed gratitude to the sponsors, without whom he said the programme would not be the resounding success it now is.

The sponsors are: NCB Foundation, Derrimon Trading Company; Newport Fersan Jamaica Limited; the Embassy of the People’s Republic of China; Kingston Bookshop; Caribbean Maritime University; and First Regional Co-operative Credit Union.

“Thank you for believing in and supporting the vision of the programme and the aspirations of the participants,” he said.

This year’s awardees are: Stephanie Wright, who will attend Northern Caribbean University; Kerone Miller, The Mico University; Phillip Griffiths, University of Technology; Shenese Wilson and Shania Allen, who will be pursuing studies at the College of Agriculture, Science and Education; Brittania Derby and Mellisa Edwards who will attend the Caribbean Maritime University; and Ashera Barron, Ashley Bernard, Samantha Forrester, James Peart, Jhenelle Small, Jastine Smith, Samantha Webb, and Magali Williams who will pursue studies at The University of the West Indies, Mona.