The Council of Community Colleges of Jamaica (CCCJ) and the Global Empowerment Institute on Wednesday, September 11, signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) designed to enhance educational opportunities and foster collaboration in Jamaica.

This strategic agreement is set to revolutionise student development by bridging the gap between academic knowledge and essential life skills, providing students with a holistic educational experience that includes self-confidence, emotional resilience, and professional readiness.

The signing ceremony was held at the CCCJ headquarters in Kingston.

The partnership will see the Caterpillars Can Fly Professional Development and Mentorship course being offered to over 8,000 students across community colleges islandwide starting in September 2024.

According to the Caribbean Business Manager of Global Empowerment Institute, Calvin A. Hunter, discussions have already started with the University of Technology, The Teachers’ Colleges of Jamaica, a university in Guyana, the University of the West Indies, and the State University of New York Early Opportunity Center, USA, to offer the course as part of their curriculum by 2025.

Students will earn three credits for 45 hours of work based on the content and successes of Alvin Day’s best-selling book, If Caterpillars Can Fly ~ So Can I.

Speaking at the MOU signing ceremony, Dr Donna Powell Wilson, executive director of CCCJ, said: “The CCCJ is pleased about this partnership as we look to advance education in Jamaica and provide opportunities for our learners to become better individuals.”

Author and international motivational speaker Alvin Day also shared his perspective on the collaboration, noting: “We are proud of the CCCJ for its innovation in education. Many institutions focus solely on academic content, but this partnership emphasises that students need more than just academics. They need catalysts and reasons to excel. The Caterpillars Can Fly Professional Development Mentorship Programme is designed to teach students essential coping skills to handle life’s challenges—economic, personal, and more—helping them to master their academic subjects and strive for excellence.”

The MOU outlines a collaborative framework for the programme, which aims to equip students with critical life skills such as self-confidence, passion for excellence, coping skills and readiness for the professional world.

The initiative will provide a structured approach to personal and academic development, preparing students for future success in their careers and personal lives.

The agreement highlights the commitment of both parties to periodic reviews and potential extensions to further strengthen their collaboration.

Other officials who participated in the signing ceremony were: Jason McIntosh, Director of Curriculum Development at CCCJ and Norman Malcolm, Director of Corporate Services at CCCJ.