News On The Go

Young persons complete PCJ programme

Close to 600 young persons have been awarded certificates and special awards after successfully completing the Petroleum Corporation of Jamaica (PCJ) Internship Programme, which exposed them to tertiary training at the University of Technology, Jamaica (UTech).

Between May and July of this year, participants enrolled in courses specifically designed by UTech in partnership with the PCJ for the execution of the programme. The goal of the initiative was to provide the opportunity for persons to access pre-university training while being involved in activities to assist them in developing critical life skills.

For the duration of the programme, candidates had the opportunity to live on the Papine campus, where they also attended classes. Subject areas taught included animation, robotics, and land surveying.

Falmouth Tax Office to be relocated

The Falmouth Tax Office will have a new home effective November 6, when it will be relocated to 5 Cornwall Street, Falmouth, Trelawny.

To facilitate the relocation exercise, Tax Administration Jamaica (TAJ) is advising that the Falmouth Tax Office will be closed to the public on Friday, November 2, and Monday November 5.

As a result of the closure, customers are being encouraged to visit either the Montego Bay, Jackson Town or St Ann's Bay Tax offices to conduct their usual business.

All services currently offered at the existing location will continue to be available at the new location, once it opens to the public.

More youth for Service Corps 

The Government is increasing the number of young people to benefit under the Jamaica National Service Corps (JNSC) programme.

Finance Minister Dr Nigel Clarke said that 1,500 more persons would be trained in three batches by October 2019.

Some 220 recruits graduated last Saturday at the Jamaica Defence Force (JDF) Moneague training camp in St Ann.

The 220 graduates, representing the fourth intake under the JNSC, underwent 16 weeks of rigorous training focused on military service knowledge, basic first aid, and weapons handling, among other areas.

They will continue to be engaged in military, vocational, and broader life skills training for another eight months, which will equip them for either an extended career in the JDF or engagement in other professional areas of interest.

Stadium East to get new running track

Sport Minister Olivia Grange says the way is now clear for the replacement of the Stadium East running track to begin.

Grange has announced that "Cabinet has approved a contract for J$71.5 million to the German firm, BSW GmbH, to begin the urgent replacement of the synthetic running track."

BSW, one of the world's leading suppliers of synthetic surfaces, successfully replaced the main running track at the National Stadium in 2011. Since then the company has installed running tracks at several facilities across Jamaica.

It is estimated that the replacement work will take 14 weeks.