Carib Cement launches largest Cemex Campus cohort to prepare future industry leaders

Caribbean Cement Company Limited Managing Director, Mr Jorge Martinez, says the future success of the cement industry in Jamaica depends on attracting and retaining skilled university graduates to drive innovation and growth across the sector.

Addressing regional university students at the hybrid launch of the sixth staging of the work-ready Cemex Campus programme on May 12, Mr Martinez said the company remains committed to developing the next generation of industry professionals.

“You will be the next generation. The people who will build our communities, industries and countries. That is why the company is investing in you,” he said.

A total of 144 students, the largest cohort since the programme’s inception, are participating from seven universities across four Caribbean countries.

In his remarks, Chairman of the Board of CCCL, Mr. Parris A. Lyew-Ayee, encouraged students interested in joining the cement industry to remain agile and adaptable amid rapid global transformation, increasing competitiveness and technological advancement.

“So, what does this programme really offer you? Cemex Campus provides a powerful package called exposure. You will be exposed to real industry expectations, cutting-edge technologies transforming construction, material science and management systems, as well as our professionals and senior executives,” he said.

Meanwhile, Human Resources Manager, Ms. Khelley Green, said the programme aims to strengthen the relationship between the company and regional universities, while positioning Cemex, CCCL’s ultimate parent company, as an employer of choice through the promotion of its benefits and best practices.

She reinforced Mr. Martinez’s message, noting that “Cemex has a vested interest in attracting new talent”, and encouraged participants to give their best throughout the programme. Ms. Green also noted that the company has employed 16 students as interns through the initiative.

For his part, final-year chemical engineering student at the University of Technology, Jamaica (Utech), Kristopher Rookwood, expressed gratitude to CCCL for facilitating the programme and providing students with the opportunity to learn directly from industry professionals.

Since its establishment, the initiative has provided over 500 students nearing the completion of their academic studies with exposure to the operations of a multinational company. Participants have gained experience in areas including supply chain management, social impact, finance, cement operations, sales, distribution, planning and human resource management.

The programme has continued to expand annually, attracting students from leading tertiary institutions including the Caribbean Maritime University, the UTech, the University of The Bahamas, the Government Technical Institute in Guyana, the University of Trinidad and Tobago, and the Mona, Cave Hill and St Augustine campuses of the University of the West Indies.