AmCham Montenegro hosted a cocktail at the Hotel Podgorica last night in celebration of the five successful years of AmCham Internship Program. On this occasion, the AmCham Honorary President, H.E. Ms. Margaret Ann Uyehara, the U.S. Ambassador to Montenegro awarded the 2015 generation of Internship Program with Certificates of Completion. The cocktail was attended by representatives of numerous AmCham member companies, partners and Program participants throughout the previous five years.

In her welcome note, the newly elected President of AmCham Montenegro, Ms. Katarina Bulatović, expressed appreciation for all member companies which have supported the basic idea of this Program – to connect young and perspective students with successful companies operating in Montenegro. “AmCham Internship Program was established in 2011 with the intention of improving the quality of labor pool in Montenegro. Our members have identified the lack of qualified labor pool with necessary work experience in Montenegro. Therefore, this Program enables students to gain practical experience before graduation, which provides a solid ground for their future professional development. In the last five years, 77 students have gained their first work experience, completed a series of workshops and trainings in order to prepare for their future carriers. We thank all AmCham members for supporting this Program and recognizing the necessity to invest in the local community.” said Ms. Bulatović.

Ambassador Uyehara expressed the commitment of the Embassy of the United States to working with the Government and business partners to achieve our common goal of a vibrant, transparent, and successful Montenegrin economy. “We will strive to help Montenegro fully integrate into Euro-Atlantic institutions, in improving its investment climate, bringing new businesses and opportunities to the people of Montenegro. In order to realize this potential – in order for Montenegrins and Americans, and other international stakeholders to reap these benefits we all need to cultivate Montenegro’s next generation of business leaders. I strongly believe AmCham’s Internship Program will support this initiative. Thank you for continuing this program in its 5th year, clearly demonstrating that Montenegro has talented youth who are willing to invest more in their education and practical skills in order to meet the needs of the local and international labor market. “, said H.E. Margaret Uyehara.

The companies who participated in the Program from 2011 to 2015 are as follows: Adriatic Marinas (Porto Montenegro), Crnogorski Telekom, Čikom, Deloitte, Ernst&Young Montenegro, Gintasmont Investment Construction and Trade (RAMADA), Hypo Alpe Adria Bank, Luštica Development, McCANN, Represent Communications, S&T Crna Gora, Societe Generale Montenegro, Telemont, Telenor, Pivara Trebjesa, Uniqa Insurance, Atlas Group (University Mediterannean), Colliers International, Milšped Montenegro, Rokšped, Time+, as well as United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), who supported the pilot year of the Program.

We would also like to thank our partner universities for supporting the promotin of the Internship Program: University of Montenegro, University of Donja Gorica and Mediterranean University.

The application process for the next generation of interns will be initiated in March 2016. More information will be available on AmCham Montenegro website.