iamtheCODE Caribbean celebrates inaugural cohort, preparing Jamaica’s next generation of digital innovators

Jamaica’s digital future received a significant boost on Saturday as iamtheCODE Caribbean celebrated the successful completion of its inaugural cohort, recognising learners from across the island who acquired critical digital and professional skills despite overcoming personal, financial and technological challenges.

Held at the Spanish Court Hotel in Kingston, the End of Cohort 1 Celebration brought together graduates, government representatives, industry leaders and corporate partners to honour learners who completed training in coding, digital literacy, project management, design thinking and communication skills through the global iamtheCODE platform.

Implemented locally by iamtheCODE Caribbean, the programme attracted 375 applications, with 164 learners enrolled from across Jamaica. By the end of the cohort, 85 participants had acquired at least one new digital skill, 38 learners completed all eight required modules, and 26exceeded programme requirements by completing 12 or more courses. The initiative was delivered at no cost to learners through the support of the Digicel Foundation and the National Baking Company Foundation.

Opening the ceremony, Nadeen Matthews Blair, Co Founder of iamtheCODE Caribbean, reflected on the determination demonstrated by the inaugural cohort.

“Our learners completed this programme while caring for ill family members, raising children, attending school, and holding down jobs. They studied late at night and early in the morning and in whatever hours were available between their obligations and the internet being available. Their persistence is the defining story of this cohort.”

Blair noted that the programme was launched to help address Jamaica’s digital skills gap and provide underserved young people with pathways to meaningful employment and entrepreneurship. She also announced plans to strengthen future cohorts through greater access to devices, expanded facilitator support and additional in-person engagement.

Delivering her address, Hon. Rhoda Moy Crawford, MP, Minister of State in the Ministry of Education, Skills, Youth and Information, congratulated the graduates and emphasised the national importance of digital education.

“These are more than academic subjects. They are tools for the future workforce. Tools that enable innovation, entrepreneurship, problem-solving, and economic growth. Most importantly, they position Jamaica and Jamaicans to compete in a global digital economy.

“The Minister also encouraged graduates to become ambassadors for the programme, sharing their experiences to inspire others to pursue opportunities in technology and lifelong learning.

Representing the Digicel Foundation, Jamilia Cooks-Brown, Portfolio Manager for Education and Special Needs, reminded learners that the value of the programme extends beyond technical knowledge.

“The certificates you receive tonight recognise what you have accomplished, the habits you’ve built, your discipline, your curiosity, your resilience, to determine what comes next.”

She noted that the Foundation continues to invest in digital literacy initiatives across Jamaica because education remains one of the most powerful investments in creating opportunity for young people.

Speaking on behalf of the National Baking Company Foundation, Executive Director Lauri-Ann Samuels said preparing young people for the digital economy is central to the Foundation’s education mission.

“The gap between people who have digital skills and people who do not is quickly becoming one of the defining economic divides of our time… Jamaica’s future will not be decided only by what we can produce, but by whether our people have the skills to operate, build, and lead in a digital economy.”

She added that the Foundation is proud to continue supporting the initiative beyond its inaugural cohort. Providing an industry perspective as Guest Speaker, Raquel Seville, President of the Jamaica Technology & Digital Alliance (JTDA), challenged graduates to think beyond simply using technology.

“I really want you guys to look at the builder opportunity and see how you can leverage the skills that you have now to build… If we don’t build, we’ll just be the consumers of the technology that other firms are building.”

Highlighting the unprecedented opportunities created by artificial intelligence and emerging technologies, Seville urged graduates to use their new skills to solve Caribbean challenges and create solutions that serve the region.

One of the programme’s most significant achievements was its reach beyond the Corporate Area. Forty-two per cent of learners completing the full curriculum came from outside Kingston, St. Andrew and St. Catherine, while women represented 92 per cent of programme completers, reflecting the initiative’s success in expanding access to digital skills training across Jamaica.

The ceremony concluded with the presentation of Certificates of Completion, recognition of outstanding learners and renewed commitments from government and corporate partners to continue investing in Jamaica’s digital talent pipeline. Building on the success of Cohort 1, iamtheCODE Caribbean is preparing to launch Cohort 2 with enhanced learner support, greater access to devices, expanded in-person engagement and stronger connections to employment and scholarship opportunities.