Nestle T&T Limited plans to create 3,270 jobs for young people ages 16 to 29 years by 2017. In pursuit of that objective, the company has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the University of T&T (UTT) for training initiatives.
Country manager Michel Beneventi said Nestle is committed to helping prepare T&T's young people for the workforce and plans to partner with government agencies, universities and professional associations to facilitate their development and employment.
Speaking at the launch of the Nestle needs YOUth initiative at the Courtyard Marriott in Port-of-Spain yesterday, Beneventi said the initiative focuses on four pillars: Get Hired, Get Skilled, Get Support and Get More Opportunities.
"While the youth unemployment rate in T&T is just six per cent versus total unemployment of three per cent, Nestle recognises that our youth are the future of our country and in turn, our business," he said."Without the proper training and development opportunities our young nationals, our children, will not be equipped to make a sustainable contribution to our society."
Nestle's human resource manager Kristin Ramlogan said participants will be given the necessary skills for employment and to advance their careers through trainee programmes, internships and apprenticeships at the company."As an apprentice, candidates will receive practical technical vocational working experience at Nestle which will be a prerequisite for completing their curriculum at their school or training institution," she said.
Ramlogan added that the internships will provide candidates with opportunities for practical working experience at the company on a "fixed temporary basis." At the end of the internship, participants will have to complete a presentation on their experiences and learning and will receive certificates of completion.
The duration of the programme is 18 months and "the trainee's journey will entail a combination of cross functional training as well as functional training where they will rotate within sub-functions in the particular department," she said.UTT president, Professor Dyer Narinesingh, speaking in support of the initiative, called for more utilisation of knowledge as a natural resource.
He said having policies going in one direction, education in another and the private sector in another does not make sense unless the knowledge gained from tertiary education is channeled into training in preparation for the world of work.