After a six-week journey in Project eDrive’s 2023 Summer Internship Programme, Zakhele Ellington stands out among the 21 participants who are leaving the programme with newfound perspectives and enriched experiences.

Commencing on July 3, and set to conclude on September 1, this year, Project eDrive 2023 Summer Internship Programme is a collaboration between the JPS Foundation and IDB Lab. The programme was established with the goal of fostering the growth of electric vehicle usage in Jamaica, along with the necessary support infrastructure, in anticipation of emerging business opportunities in this evolving sector.

Chosen from the engineering and information technology (IT) departments of universities across the island, this year’s interns were given the chance to delve into the realm of electric vehicles and sustainable energy practices.

Ellington, a second-year civil engineering student at the University of Technology, emerged from the programme as one of its success stories. As an eDrive intern stationed at Evergo within the Jamaican Energy Partners Group at West Kingston, he shared his thoughts on the experience: “This internship at the Jamaican Energy Partners Group at West Kingston stationed at Evergo has been an unparalleled experience for me. It has not only offered me a practical glimpse into my chosen field of study but has also equipped me with the essential skill sets and work ethics required for the professional world.”

Underlining the transformative aspect of his participation, he further revealed, “My perspective has undergone a significant shift during my time here. Immersing myself in this professional workspace has shown me how to function as an independent contributor and, more importantly, how to methodically approach and complete various tasks.”

Despite having prior exposure to internships and work settings, Ellington emphasised that the demands of his role at Evergo have set this experience apart. “While I’ve had the opportunity to engage in other internships before, none of them have required me to operate at the same level of responsibility as I have encountered with Evergo,” he explained.

“A typical day as an intern at Evergo would include us reading the documentation of the different electric vehicle chargers, site visitation, attending meetings and doing AutoCAD drawings for my supervisor, and proposing ideas to them about projects they want us to do. What I enjoy the most from my work days is the site visitation because that is where I get to really apply what I have been able to learn so far in the working space,” he added.

When prompted about his aspirations from the internship, Ellington expressed his eagerness to learn not only within his field of study but across diverse domains. “I firmly believe that being a well-rounded individual equips you to tackle any challenge life presents,” he stated.

In addition to the personal growth he experienced, Ellington found himself more informed about electric vehicles as a result of the programme. Prior to his participation, he had limited knowledge about electric cars. However, his perspective shifted during the internship. He shared, “My understanding of electric vehicles was quite limited before the eDrive internship program, but after this exposure, I’ve come to appreciate their potential as fantastic vehicles that could significantly contribute to both the economy and the environment.”

As Zakhele Ellington and his fellow interns prepare to leave the eDrive internship programme, they carry not only a wealth of new perspectives but also a tangible connection to the future of sustainable transportation in Jamaica and beyond.