Partnerships work was the vital underlying theme of the innovative BCIC YUTE Work Project, which concluded in early 2024.
As a result, dozens of young participants from Parade Gardens and neighbouring communities in downtown Kingston have now earned HEART/NSTA certification in customer service.
Eighteen gained critical life and employability skills through 30 workshop sessions of the internationally acclaimed Passport to Success Curriculum. Thirteen served internships, and three were offered ongoing employment by the organisations hosting their internships.
eflecting on a positive assessment of the project, Lori-Ann Glasgow, general manager of marketing at BCIC, noted that, “BCIC is thrilled to have partnered with the MultiCare Youth Foundation, the HEART/NSTA Trust and the American Friends of Jamaica for this project. Witnessing the positive impact on these young people has been incredibly rewarding.”
“The BCIC YUTE Project not only provided vocational training and mentorship, it also opened doors to meaningful careers within our company. Although we lost some along the way, seeing the most dedicated transition from interns to full-time employees at BCIC is a testament to their hard work, focus, and the valuable skills they gained. These young individuals bring a fresh perspective and a wealth of potential to our team. We’re committed to fostering their growth and providing them with the opportunities to excel,” she added.
Lori-Ann Glasgow, General Manager of Marketing at The British Caribbean Insurance Company (BCIC) describes witnessing the positive impact on BCIC YUTE Work Project participants as “Incredibly rewarding”. BCIC’s yearlong partnership with The MultiCare Youth Foundation (MYF), HEART/NSTA Trust and the American Friends of Jamaica saw BCIC gift at-risk 15-29-year-olds with mentoring, life, employment and vocational skills training and internship opportunities. Participants were vulnerable youth in the Parade Gardens and neighbouring communities in downtown Kingston. The BCIC YUTE Work Project was part of BCIC’s celebration of 60 years of providing quality insurance products and services to clients in Jamaica and Barbados. (Photo: Contributed)
The yearlong partnership saw BCIC gift at-risk between the ages of 15 and 29 life-changing opportunities as it celebrated 60 years of providing quality insurance products and services to clients in Jamaica and Barbados. The MultiCare Youth Foundation (MYF) executed its winning YUTE model of tailored layered interventions, while the HEART/NSTA Trust provided all-important vocational skills training and certification.
The American Friends of Jamaica contributed vital support, including welcome food and transportation stipends for youth, which helped make the project’s benefits more accessible. Finally, a range of multi-sectoral employers agreed to host BCIC YUTE Work interns for one full year and provided an all-important practical introduction to the workplace experience.
Nine private and public sector and civic organisations hosted one or more BCIC YUTE Work Project interns. They were the Urban Development Corporation (UDC), WIHCON Properties, Grace and Staff Foundation, the UWI Open Campus, Traffic Court, United Way of Jamaica, Tax Administration Office East Street branch, BCIC and The MultiCare Youth Foundation. Two interns were transitioned to ongoing employment by BCIC, and one was offered work on a contract basis by the UDC.
Noting her organisation’s pivotal role in empowering youth to break free from the cycle of poverty and crime, HEART/NSTA Trust’s managing director, Dr Taneisha Ingleton, pointed out,
“By offering training and certification opportunities, we enable young people to become productive contributors to society. Investing in the education of Jamaica’s youth not only secures their future but also fosters overall economic development in the country.
“The partnership between the HEART/NSTA Trust and The MultiCare Youth Foundation has proven instrumental in addressing the needs of young people across Jamaica. Through tailored training programmes, these organisations redirect the paths of vulnerable youth, providing them with the skills necessary to seize opportunities in the workforce. This collaborative effort is essential in uplifting Jamaica’s youth and creating a brighter future for the nation.”
Dr Taneisha Ingleton, Managing Director, HEART/NSTA Trust, notes how teaming up with The MultiCare Youth Foundation (MYF) and other partners has proven instrumental in addressing the needs of young people across Jamaica. She highlights The Trust’s role in empowering youth to break free from the cycle of poverty and crime by offering training and certification opportunities that enable young people to become productive contributors to society, including those selected to participate in the BCIC YUTE Work project. (Photo: Contributed)
In addition to opening up vital opportunities for Jamaican youth at risk of becoming involved with crime and violence, the BCIC YUTE Work Project and many other similar initiatives by BCIC and The MYF offer the Jamaican community a substantial ‘plus’, the gradual but cumulative benefit of developing a pool of skilled potential employees, with relevance to the entities which help to train and orient them.
In fact, as BCIC’s manager of marketing affirms, “The BCIC YUTE Work project is a shining example of how corporate social responsibility can create a win-win situation. It benefits the lives of at-risk youth, strengthens our workforce, and contributes to a more positive and inclusive community.”
