Unattached Youth Prepare for a Digital Future with The MICO University College, The Trust for the Americas, and NCB Foundation Partnership.

KINGSTON, Jamaica - November 2020 - On Monday, November 2, 2020, digital tech leaders and experts will gather virtually to listen to pitches delivered by unattached youth at the NCB ICON Lab Pitch Tank as part of the NCB ICON Lab initiative which launched on June 15, 2020.

The purpose of the program is to encourage innovation, foster digital inclusion, and economic opportunities in Jamaica with training that focuses on essential life skills, entrepreneurship, communications skills, and augmented reality. The program is being implemented as a partnership among NCB Foundation, The Mico University College, and Trust for the Americas - a non-profit 501 affiliate of the Organization of American States that works to promote economic, social, and political development in Latin America and the Caribbean.

“COVID-19 has forced the world to make efforts to narrow the digital divide and embrace digital transformation at a time when it is needed the most,” added Dr. Asburn Pinnock, president of The Mico University College, a local program partner focused on driving innovation in teaching that will propel the workforce to meet the demands of the nation’s future adequately. “Even without the current threat of COVID-19, the world is experiencing rapid technological developments in all aspects of life. Persons who find themselves ill-equipped to take advantage of this technological wave will be alienated from the economy. The NCB ICON Lab will provide a grand opportunity for unattached youth to be trained to seize opportunities while adding value to their lives and society. The Mico University College is proud to be on board to empower and provide another pathway for our youths to gain relevant 21st-century skills.” He continued.

The future is digital. Once a niche skillset, digital skills are now a workplace essential. The digital marketing institute suggests that “within Europe and across sectors, at least 80% of managers and professionals need basic digital abilities. And, in larger workplaces, as many as 50% are required to have specialist digital skills.” Skills in areas such as expert data analysis, advanced social selling, mobile expertise, multi-platform UX design, network, and information security, and creative thinking will all be in high demand in the near future.

On Monday, November 2 these developed skills will be put on display when participants pitch their innovative solutions created with the possibility of them being developed into viable business enterprises. CEO of the NCB Foundation, Nadeen Matthews Blair expressed that, "The foundation is looking forward to hearing pitches which represent viable opportunities for our students to earn an income or improve our society leveraging digital technologies.”

On Wednesday, November 4, great pitches will be recognized at the NCB ICON Lab awards ceremony. The NCB ICON Lab promotes an entrepreneurial and learning mindset for Jamaican youth to become referents as well as becoming change agents in their communities. ICON is an acronym that stands for Innovative, Creative, Outstanding, and Nationalistic. During April and May 2020, The Trust for the Americas carried out the "Train-the-trainers" (TTT) with The MICO University College. The Objective was to equip teachers with the tools they need to provide training to youth.

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About Mico University College:

Mico University College is the oldest and largest English-speaking specialist teacher training educational institution in the Caribbean. For 180 years, Mico University College has been at the forefront of efforts to improve access to quality educational opportunities in Jamaica. Mico University College has highly trained staff, with years of experience in innovation.

More information: www.themico.edu.jm

Facebook: The Mico University College

Instagram: @themicouniversitycollege

About The Trust for the Americas:

The Trust for the Americas is a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization affiliated with the Organization 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. Our initiatives, implemented through local partner organizations, seek to improve access to economic opportunities as well as to foster innovation in vulnerable communities in the hemisphere. To this end, The Trust also promotes social inclusion and good governance. The Trust has offices in Washington, D.C., Colombia, and Canada.

More information: www.trustfortheamericas.org

Facebook: The Trust for the Americas

Twitter: @Trust4Americas

About The N.C.B. Foundation:

Established in 2003, the N.C.B. Foundation is the philanthropic arm of the NCB Financial Group Limited. With its focus on three primary areas – Education, Community Development and Sports, and Youth Leadership and Entrepreneurship—the N.C.B. Foundation embraces sustainable charitable causes, and contribute to the acceleration of national development. From investing in scholarships at the primary, secondary, and tertiary levels and empowering youths

with skills in leadership and entrepreneurship to enhancing trainees' lives through training in various skills-based programs. The N.C.B. Foundation is committed to elevating and empowering the people in the communities it serves. To date, the N.C.B. Foundation has donated over J$1.5 billion to various charitable initiatives, positively impacting the lives of over 250,000 Jamaicans.

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ncbfoundation

Twitter: @NCBFoundation

Related Links:

NCB ICON Lab Kickstarts the First Cohort of Trainees in Jamaica - https://www.trustfortheamericas.org/press-room/releases/ncb-icon-lab-kickstarts-1cohort-trainees-jamaica

Kickstarting the NCB ICON Lab in Jamaica - https://www.trustfortheamericas.org/press-room/releases/TTT-NCB-ICON-LAB