Barbados has inaugurated its first 2026 cohort of the King’s Trust International Team Programme, welcoming fourteen young participants to a comprehensive 12-week leadership development initiative. The program launched officially at the Glebe Resource Centre in St. George with an orientation session designed to establish foundational teamwork and personal connection among attendees.
Inspector Roger Babb of the Barbados Police Service’s Community Relations Department, who serves as crime prevention officer, emphasized the program’s significant role in youth development. “This initiative focuses on empowering young persons to develop themselves to the stage where they can confidently enter society, seek employment, and conduct themselves in ways that bring personal and national pride,” Babb stated, highlighting the program’s alternative to criminal pathways.
The selection process employs a community-based recruitment strategy utilizing former participants as ambassadors, targeted flyers, and ongoing community engagement. Since its establishment in 2016, this partnership between the Barbados Police Service and King’s Trust International has successfully guided approximately 776 young Barbadians through the program, with many advancing to employment opportunities or further education.
Sergeant Roger Williams, team coordinator for the program, detailed the comprehensive curriculum structure. The initial induction phase focuses on team-building activities and self-reflection exercises, followed by an intensive residential component at the Coast Guard base featuring challenging physical activities including hiking and obstacle courses. Participants subsequently design and execute community projects requiring fundraising and public engagement, developing practical skills in entrepreneurship and social contribution.
The program incorporates essential life skills training through specialist resource persons covering financial literacy, CV preparation, and interview techniques. This holistic approach ensures participants develop both the soft skills and practical competencies necessary for workplace success and personal development, ultimately creating well-rounded individuals prepared for professional environments.