M&M, NWC team up on skills development pact for young engineers

The National Water Commission (NWC) has partnered with M&M Jamaica Limited to enhance the skill set of young engineers through a hands-on experience programme.

NWC Vice-President Garth Jackson says under the six-month collaboration, several engineers have been assigned to the Spanish Town leg of the commission’s major improvement project, being undertaken by M&M.

“We have agreed with M&M that we will both engage the services of engineers who are fresh out of university, or completing their studies, and assign them to our projects, along with the requisite senior engineers who will train them in the practical side of the profession,” he told JIS News.

Jackson added that during the period, it is anticipated that beneficiaries will gain the requisite experience that allows them to contribute more meaningfully to the engineering and construction sectors.

“We will be engaging additional engineers who we will deploy on work associated with the project, on the design and project management side of things. We have additional services which will include engineering designs, and the general management of the project,” he further stated.

Jackson said under the partnership, opportunities are being offered to young people to substantively apply mathematics and science in their engagements, “as they will be assisting with the improvement of potable and wastewater facilities”.

Deputy managing director of M&M, Richard Mullings, said the initiative is aimed at further catalysing the society’s thrust towards youth development.

“We see it as a way to pool the resources that we know are there, to see how we can have greater impact on young engineers,” he said.

Over several years, M&M Jamaica Limited has been engaging young engineers through its internship programme, which serves to expose participants to the practical aspect of the construction process, and, in the process, complement the theoretical aspect of their studies.