Voices Magazine-Vol4-Issue

21 January – April 2021 | VOICES Bi-Monthly Magazine of the University of Technology, Jamaica Career and Job Placement Fair 2021 T he Career and Placement Unit, Division of Student Services hosted the annual Career and Job Placement Fair virtually, under the theme Advancing into the World of Work, over three days from March 10 - 12, 2021. The Career and Job Placement Fair forms part of activities at the University of Technology, Jamaica to produce ‘work-ready’ graduates, and also provides an opportunity for students to connect with potential employers and to form networks to establish lucrative employment in various fields. This year’s event featured a series of workshops and virtual company exhibitions for 2nd, 3rd and final year students on the online platform Hopin and received sponsorship from corporate partners NCB Foundation, Nestle Jamaica and Cariflow Limited. Professor Colin Gyles, in his welcome at the opening ceremony noted that the Career and Job Placement Fair is a major event on the University’s calendar of activities, “not just because it involves facilitating important steps in helping our senior students as well as recent graduates to transition into the world of work, but because the partnerships and relationships built through the planned activities over the next three days will be potentially life-changing for our graduates as they advance to the next stages of their professional and personal development.” Professor Gyles also extended appreciation to the corporate partners participating in the job fair, assuring that they had chosen the right place for “human capital to increase productivity, innovation, and efficiency” in their organizations. Professor Gyles lauded the efforts of the Career and Placement Unit, led by Mr. Maurice Colquhoun, Career and Placement Officer in making the job fair a success. Mrs. Mercedes Deane, University Registrar, in her greetings, lauded the Department of Student Services, headed by Mrs. Dorrset Gabbidon-Pottinger, Assistant Registrar, for their work, which resulted in data that demonstrated that 80% of students were gainfully employed, or had created gainful self- employment, at the point of graduation. Mr. Maurice Colquhoun, Career and Placement Officer, in his remarks urged students to network and to build strong corporate relations over the three- day event. He indicated that the Career and Job Placement Fair included workshops, interviews and virtual corporate booths where students could engage with potential employers and submit applications and resumes. He also thanked the Alumni Relations Office for its support in staging the event. Other speakers at the opening ceremony were Mrs. Sandy Lawrence, Acting Cooperative Education Coordinator, Mrs. Sophia McIntosh, Coordinator, Western Campus, Mr. Khalil Hutchinson, President, UTech, Jamaica Students’ Union, Mrs. Lois Walters, President, Human Resource Association of Jamaica (HRMAJ) and Miss Melissa Rivero, Talent Manager, Nestle. Professor Colin Gyles Mr. Maurice Colquhoun