As the digital landscape evolves, the gap between current skill sets and market demands poses challenges for many young Jamaicans.

The Trust for the Americas’ Unleashing the Potential of Jamaican Youth Through Empowerment and Training (JET) Project seeks to address this issue by equipping Jamaican youth with digital, entrepreneurial
and life skills to catalyse their growth in the digital economy.

The JET Project is a collaborative effort spearheaded by The Trust for the Americas, with financial backing from the NCB Foundation, Microsoft, Citi Foundation, and the IDB LAB.

Some 501 youth recently graduated from the JET Project as part of the third cohort.

The graduation ceremony, held at the University College of the Caribbean (UCC) on June 30, was a vibrant affair attended by proud family members, community stakeholders, and distinguished guests.

The atmosphere was charged with excitement and hope as graduates received their certificates, symbolising not just the completion of the program but the beginning of new professional opportunities.

Quimey Del Rio, senior programme officer at The Trust for the Americas, praised the graduates
for their dedication and hard work.

“At the Trust, we are immensely proud of our graduates for their dedication and commitment throughout this stage of their journey. We are confident that the skills and knowledge attained throughout their preparation will be instrumental as they move on in their professional development.”

One of the graduates, Shalona Watson, shared, “The JET Project has significantly impacted my life, providing essential digital and soft skills that have boosted my freelance career.

The hands-on training and supportive community fostered both professional and personal growth, enhancing my confidence and conflict-resolution abilities. I now feel more prepared and resilient
to face any challenge.”

• 129 graduates are actively freelancing, leveraging their new skills to build prosperous
  independent careers;
• 73 graduates are pursuing entrepreneurship pathways, demonstrating innovation and a
  drive to create their business ventures;
• 91 graduates are pursuing internship opportunities to gain invaluable experience
  through collaborations with the Tourism Enhancement Fund and the Ministry of Labour
  and Social Security, positioning themselves for long-term career success.

The success of this project underscores the importance of investing in youth development.

Andrew Pairman, deputy chair of the NCB Foundation, highlighted the ongoing commitment to supporting Jamaican youth.

He said, “Empowering Jamaican youth through programmes like JET is not just a mission for the NCB Foundation; it is a testament to our commitment to building a better Jamaica. We are dedicated to ensuring that our youth have access to digital education, enabling them to leverage software for online earning opportunities and enhancing their employability.”

These young professionals are ready to embark on their careers, poised to bring innovation and prosperity to Jamaica’s socioeconomic landscape.

The JET Project also benefits from the leadership of the Jamaica Chamber of Commerce (JCC), Private
Sector Organisation of Jamaica (PSOJ), Caribbean School of Data, and Ministry of Education and Youth.