A new initiative aimed at preparing young Jamaicans for careers in cybersecurity and artificial intelligence (AI) was launched in Kingston on Monday through a partnership between the SANS Institute, the Government of Jamaica, the Organisation of American States (OAS), and the Government of Canada.

The Jamaican Cyber Youth Empowerment Academy officially kicked off with a full-day, in-person orientation, where participants were introduced to the initiative and began hands-on training led by SANS instructors.

The programme is designed to strengthen Jamaica’s digital resilience and expand workforce readiness by offering world-class technical training, career development, and internationally recognised certification. Participants will also gain access to a growing network of cyber professionals across the Americas.

Two core courses will be delivered at no cost to participants: SEC275: Computers, Technology and Security Training (with the GFACT certification) and AIS247: AI Security Essentials for Business Leaders.

“This initiative reflects our deep commitment to developing cybersecurity talent across the globe,” explained Max Shuftan, Director of Mission Programmes and Partnerships at SANS Institute. “Jamaica has an opportunity to lead the Caribbean in building regional cyber capacity and expanding opportunities for Jamaican youth, and we’re proud to support that goal by empowering them with the training and credentials to launch meaningful careers.”

The academy targets Jamaican residents aged 18 to 25 with a basic understanding of IT concepts such as networks or operating systems. Alongside classroom instruction, participants will receive mentorship from certified SANS instructors and take part in career-readiness workshops to help bridge the gap between training and employment.

According to Guillermo Moncayo, Executive Secretary in charge of the Inter-American Committee against Terrorism (CICTE) of the OAS), the initiative is part of a broader regional effort to build cyber resilience. He noted that each newly trained professional contributes to protecting critical infrastructure and, ultimately, safeguarding the digital lives of citizens.

The Government of Canada, through Global Affairs Canada, is also backing the programme, which aims to position Jamaica as a regional leader in cyber capacity building.