The Trust for the Americas, The Mico University College and N.C.B. Foundation sign agreement of understanding to announce the launch of the Entrepreneurship and Skills for Tomorrow Innovation Lab

Kingston, Jamaica (11/20/2019) With the aim of fostering economic empowerment through stimulating innovation and providing training in skills for tomorrow and entrepreneurship, N.C.B. Foundation, Mico University College and The Trust for the Americas signed a memorandum of understanding to design and implement the first year of an Entrepreneurship and Skills for Tomorrow Innovation Lab, in order to improve access to quality educational opportunities for Jamaican youth.

The signing took place at the Mico University College campus, which is our local partner to implement this initiative. Among the personalities attending were Dr. Asburn Pinnock; President of The Mico University College, N.C.B. Foundation Chairperson Thalia Lyn, N.C.B. Foundation CEO Nadeen Matthews Blair, Dwayne Gutzmer, CEO of the Institute of Law and Economics of Jamaica.

During a one year period, this project will offer 150 participants training in digital skills, programming, entrepreneurship, and preparation to join the workforce, as well as additional activities such as Hackathons, “Pitch Tank” competitions; in which USD 15,000.00 will be granted to the most innovative entrepreneurship, as economic incentives. 

During the signing, María Fernanda Sierra, Project Manager of The Trust for the Americas, mentioned: “The N.C.B. Foundation's Innovation Laboratory will be the first to provide skills for tomorrow to vulnerable young people in Jamaica. The Laboratory will have different challenges and opportunities. This time we are working to promote digital skills, Leadership, and job-readiness, combined with preparation for Innovation and Entrepreneurship. N.C.B. is investing in the future of Jamaica. " 

“We trust that this program will change the game in Jamaica, and will be instrumental in enabling our digital economy. Through this alliance, the N.C.B. seeks to create a model and promote an ecosystem that allows to scale and have a national impact. ”Nadeen Matthews Blair, N.C.B. Foundation CEO.

Also, Carol Clarke, Vice President of Academic Affairs of Mico, highlighting its organization’s slogan: "Change to preserve our legacy"; emphasized the importance of generating the necessary conditions for young people to be better prepared to face the accelerating transformations of the competitive labor market.

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

About Mico

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 the field of innovation.