Fifth edition of Cemex Campus aims to bridge skills gap in sector

Regional university students are encouraged to bring fresh thinking and innovation to the cement industry through Cemex Campus, the flagship work-ready initiative of Caribbean Cement Company Limited (CCCL).

At the Caribbean-wide virtual launch of its fifth edition on September 22, Managing Director of CCCL, Jorge Martinez, called on students across the Caribbean to embrace the opportunity to contribute bold ideas that can help drive innovation and unlock new growth opportunities within the sector.

“We want to get the fresh ideas that all of you have. We need that clear mindset that you have in this age to change the world,” Martinez said.

He noted that the Cemex Campus initiative is equipping students with practical skills, industry exposure and real-world knowledge to bridge the existing skills gap in the sector.

“You will be part of the next generation to run companies like this. We will make every effort to give you more tools and the opportunity for hands-on experience to close the gaps. We hope that we can inspire you to be part of this company,” he added.

Meanwhile, Chairman of CCCL, Parris A. Lyew-Ayee, underscored the significant impact the programme has had since its inception, pointing to hundreds of successful participants who have gone on to pursue meaningful careers.

“Our purpose is simple but powerful in what it achieves – to nurture work ready graduates who are prepared to lead Jamaica, the Caribbean and the companies they choose to work in, especially in the fields of engineering, technology and innovation,” he noted.

He encouraged students to take full advantage of the experience offered by the programme, highlighting the global perspective it provides.

“Think about what you will get here: first-hand experience and knowledge from a multinational company that competes at the highest global standard,” Lyew-Ayee stated.

Kidroy Scott, now a security analyst at CCCL, reflected on his journey as a participant in the 2021 cohort, praising Cemex Campus for developing his professional skills and opening the door to employment within the company.

In her remarks, Tracy Ann Gordon-Morgan, student experience and involvement officer at the Caribbean Maritime University (CMU), welcomed the continued collaboration between CCCL and CMU for enabling her students to be a part of this initiative.

Since its inception in 2021, Cemex Campus has been featured across the Trinidad Cement Limited (TCL) cluster of which Carib Cement in Jamaica is a part and includes the other islands of Barbados, The Bahamas, Trinidad and Tobago and Guyana, reinforcing the initiative’s regional reach and impact.

The initiative has provided more than 100 final year students, or students nearing completion of their studies with exposure to the inner workings of the multinational company. Participants have gained experience in a range of disciplines including supply chain management, social impact, finance, cement operations, sales, distribution, planning and human resource management.

The programme has grown steadily, drawing students from leading institutions such as the Caribbean Maritime University, University of Technology, Jamaica, University of the Bahamas, Government Technical Institute in Guyana, and all three campuses of The University of the West Indies – Mona, Cave Hill, and St Augustine as well as the University of Trinidad and Tobago.