Four college graduates have secured permanent positions at General Accident Insurance Company (GenAc) following the successful completion of the company’s inaugural Graduate Internship Programme.

The former interns, Rasheem Kennedy, Donielle Hope, Ashley Distant, and Davica McLeish, were officially welcomed as full-time employees at a confirmation ceremony held on Monday, April 7, 2025, at GenAc’s headquarters on Half Way Tree Road. The event marked a year since the ambitious graduates first began their journey with the company.

Themed “Passing the Baton,” the ceremony served a dual purpose: celebrating the achievements of the graduating interns while welcoming a fresh cohort of eager participants into the programme. The event provided an opportunity for stakeholders to witness the remarkable progress of the outgoing interns, as mentors and supervisors reflected on their growth and contributions to the company. Meanwhile, the new interns had the chance to engage with their predecessors, gaining firsthand insight into the programme’s impact and potential.

The event brought together GenAc’s senior management, external and internal lecturers, and dedicated mentors, all united by a shared mission to prepare the next generation of insurance professionals.

GenAc’s Managing Director, Sharon Donaldson-Levine, opened the proceedings with an inspiring address to the new cohort.

“I look forward to you surpassing our 50% retention target and hope to see all of you choosing to stay with us and grow alongside GenAc,” she expressed. “When GenAc grows, you grow too. We are excited about this partnership and the future we will build together.”

Guest speaker and Marathon Insurance Brokers Ltd. CEO, Levar Smith, shared his roadmap for a successful career in insurance, highlighting five key principles for growth in the evolving industry.

“The insurance industry is undergoing a profound transformation, and this is a time of incredible opportunity for young professionals ready to embrace change,” Smith noted. “Yet, amid the wave of technological advancement, the human element remains vital. Insurance is built on trust and protection. Your role is to blend innovation with empathy, ensuring that our clients and communities feel supported every step of the way.”

Reaffirming GenAc’s commitment to talent development, Chief Operating Officer Gregory Foster emphasized the importance of nurturing future industry leaders.

“It is essential that we continue to invest our time and resources in this programme,” Foster remarked. “The fact that we are all here today speaks to the significance we place on this initiative and its role in shaping the future of our company.”

Representing the graduating class, Ashley Distant expressed heartfelt gratitude on behalf of her peers during the ceremony.

“We would like to thank everyone here for investing in us and believing in our potential, for giving us a chance and adding value to our lives, as we are excited to continue this journey as permanent members of this organization,” Distant shared.

The Graduate Internship Programme was launched on February 12, 2024, in response to a growing talent gap in the insurance sector. By introducing this innovative pathway, GenAc aimed to attract young professionals passionate about a career in general insurance. The inaugural cohort welcomed eight promising candidates, and since then, the programme has grown to include 10 successful participants, reinforcing the company’s ongoing expansion efforts.

The initiative also aligns with Jamaica’s broader goals of boosting youth employment and strengthening the local economy by creating meaningful career pathways in the insurance industry, an often underexplored but vital contributor to national development.