Some of the students from Iona High School who gained valuable experience from their involvement in the Jamaica Employers' Federation convention at Sunset Jamaica Grande recently. From left: Mariah-Gaye Robinson, Sonikar Euter, Shermane Carter, Nneka Okeke, Shanice Farquharson, Shannel Patterson, Lacey-Ann Williams and Jurlene Howe. - Photo by Carl Gilchrist
Carl Gilchrist, Gleaner WriterOCHO RIOS, St Ann:
IT WAS more than just employers who benefited from the Jamaica Employers' Federation (JEF) convention held last week at Sunset Jamaica Grande in Ocho Rios.
Thirty-six students from Iona High School, located in Tower Isle, St Mary, were given the opportunity to serve as hospitality hosts for the four-day convention.
They impressed, looking dapper in their black pants for the boys and pants or skirts for the girls, matched with light blue shirts, welcoming persons at the convention and offering information, among other things.
It was a new experience for the students and they were happy for the opportunity to be involved.
Patrick Sterling, the convention chairman, explained the students' involvement.
"Each year, the Jamaica Employers' Federation comes into the parish, we seek to engage students from the schools to partner with us," Sterling said.
He continued: "It's part of their work experience and it's part of our investment in the future of our country. We also engage students from schools to perform at our opening spectacular or any other performance we have on site. For example, this year, we had students from Breadnut Hill Primary School performing in our opening spectacular. So it's important for the JEF to make that investment in our young people because then we're looking at the future of the JEF as potential employers and employees."