For the seventh year, the Trinidad and Tobago Housing Development Corporation (HDC) welcomed a batch of interns for its Internship to Leadership Programme. From today until August 14, twenty (20) tertiary-level students will have an opportunity to apply theory to practice in various aspects of the local housing sector. During the ten-week programme, the interns will be integrated into various areas including project management and oversight, construction management and operations, finance, social work, legal and corporate communications. The main objective of the programme is to provide each student with the requisite industry experience in their respective fields of study while providing opportunities for leadership and professional development.
Today’s launch of the programme is another proud moment for the HDC as it allows the corporation to introduce the next generation of leaders to the demands of the industry. In his remarks, HDC Chairman, Newman George, welcomed the new intake and reminded them that they were selected from hundreds of applicants, therefore the corporation’s expectations of them, is very high. He also took the opportunity to underscore the importance of shelter and its role in the advancement of mankind. He affirmed that “throughout centuries, accommodation, whether it is housing, office or other infrastructure, has been crucial to the advancement of society. It is therefore important for you, our future generations, to be adequately trained in the technical and other aspects of the construction process so that you can continue to build on the legacy of past generations.” The HDC Chairman stated that, the HDC does not “do this programme out of largess but simply because it is our hope that after your time with us, you will maximise your capacity to learn and develop your portfolio of achievements.”
At present, fifteen (15) former interns, are now formally employed with the HDC in various divisions and units. The HDC hopes to add to this complement from the current cohort of interns.