The Bureau of Standards Jamaica (BSJ), in marking its 50th anniversary, will offer five tertiary-level students internship opportunities to sharpen their skills and contribute to the standards agency which seeks to continue nation-building. The announcement was made at our BSJ 50 launch of year-long activities, marking 50 years of contribution to the country, held at our head office on Winchester Road, Kingston.

The event saw BSJ officials tell the gathering of stakeholders, retired employees, current employees, and consumers that their primary focus over the next 12 months is to have five selected interns represent the five decades of its existence. The five students will have an opportunity to be placed in a particular area of the standards agency, namely, science and technology, standards and testing, where they will get the opportunity to sharpen their skills.

Chairman of the Standards Council, Senator Matthew Samuda, said that the bureau has done well, but it has a lot more to contribute to the country. “I am proud to say today, we are supporting our nation’s development. Let us continue to make standards work for all of us and for the Jamaicans we serve. There are many new industries that Jamaica wish to see grow.” According to the senator, industries like bamboo, cannabis and construction rely on the continued stewardship of a strong and developing standards body. “I am proud to say that before the end of this year, we will have many of our standards ready for that (cannabis) industry. It includes our role in the building industry; quarter after quarter we have seen the growth numbers coming out of construction, we see our very skyline changing before us, the BSJ has an integral role to play in ensuring that these buildings are safe...”.