Wed | May 27, 2026

JET Project graduates 118 youth in digital, life skills

Published:Wednesday | March 20, 2024 | 12:07 AM
Pause
Onieka Young reflected on her experience as part of the JET Project.
Contributed
Onieka Young reflected on her experience as part of the JET Project.
Linda Eddleman, CEO of The Trust for the Americas.
Contributed
Linda Eddleman, CEO of The Trust for the Americas.
From left: Jeffrey Azan, guest speaker; Jamilia Crooks-Brown, programme administrator, NCB Foundation; Venessa Duggan and Basheba Ellis, JET Project graduates; Col Martin Rickman, chair of the JET Steering Committee and Naketa West, JET Project coordinator
Contributed
From left: Jeffrey Azan, guest speaker; Jamilia Crooks-Brown, programme administrator, NCB Foundation; Venessa Duggan and Basheba Ellis, JET Project graduates; Col Martin Rickman, chair of the JET Steering Committee and Naketa West, JET Project coordinator, were all smiles.
Pixels of Opportunity! – Graduates of the second cohort of the JET Project had a lot to celebrate.
Contributed
Pixels of Opportunity! – Graduates of the second cohort of the JET Project had a lot to celebrate.
1
2
3
4

The Trust for the Americas, through its Democratising Innovation in the Americas programme (DIA), is celebrating the graduation of its second cohort from the Unleashing the Potential of Jamaican Youth Through Empowerment and Training (JET) project.

Building upon the success of the inaugural cohort of 14 youth, the JET Project has witnessed an extraordinary increase in graduates, with 118 young Jamaicans ready to shape the future of the labour market, a media release notes.

“The rapid expansion of the digital technology landscape poses challenges for young people disproportionately affected by the mismatch between their digital skills and those in demand by the labour market. Therefore, the JET Project prioritises employability and upskilling strategies to build a resilient labour market,” it noted further.

In her address, Linda Eddleman, CEO of The Trust for the Americas, expressed her elation at the exponential growth of the JET Project. “The achievements of our JET Project graduates are a beacon of potential and resilience. I’m proud to witness their transformation into ‘Pixels of Possibility’ for Jamaica, ready to shine in the digital economy.”

The NCB Foundation, a key donor, also lauded the project’s success. Jamilia Crooks-Brown, programme administrator, NCB Foundation, remarked, “As we celebrate the one-year milestone of our partnership with the JET Project, we’re reminded of the transformative power of digital empowerment. Together, we’ve ignited a journey of innovation, equipping individuals to become digital producers and drive sustainable economic growth to shape a brighter future for all.”

Onieka Young, a graduate of the second cohort, shared her gratitude for the opportunities afforded by the JET Project and the profound impact it has had on her life. She said, “Without a doubt, the JET Project has effectively equipped me with essential digital skills necessary for navigating today’s professional landscape.”

The Trust for the Americas is a non-profit 501(c)(3) organisation affiliated with the Organisation of American States (OAS). It was established in 1997 to promote public and private sector participation in social and economic development projects in Latin America and the Caribbean.

The JET Project is a collaborative effort implemented by The Trust for the Americas with financial support from the NCB Foundation, Microsoft, Citi Foundation, and the IDB LAB. The project is also powered by the leadership of the Jamaica Chamber of Commerce (JCC), the Private Sector Organisation of Jamaica (PSOJ), the Caribbean School of Data (CSOD), and the Ministry of Education and Youth.

DIA is a regional initiative of The Trust for the Americas that was launched to foster innovation and empower new generations through access to technology training, specialised curricula, collaboration spaces, mentorship, and financial resources for social and economic ventures.