Ten years after launching to address a critical gap in youth employability, The University of the West Indies (UWI) Global Campus has marked its milestone by honoring 149 recent graduates of its signature Preparing Today for Tomorrow’s Challenges – Transforming Children’s Lives (PTFTC-TCL) Alumni Outreach Programme at a recognition ceremony in Barbados.
Hosted by the UWI Global Campus Alumni Office in partnership with the Sandals Foundation at the Sandals Royal Ballroom, the 10th annual Recognition Ceremony brought together graduates, educators, government partners and corporate sponsors to celebrate a decade of impact that has now served more than 1,800 secondary school students across the island nation.
The origins of the programme trace back to 2015, when veteran educator Faith Richards noticed a widespread gap: many Barbadian secondary school students lacked the foundational soft skills, professional know-how and life competencies needed to make a smooth transition from the classroom to the workforce. In response to Richards’ observation, education specialist Sandra Griffith-Carrington developed the original six-month curriculum, which covered core practical topics ranging from professional communication and resume writing to interview preparation, conflict resolution, digital meeting etiquette and professional presentation standards.
Over its first decade, the programme has evolved to match changing workplace demands, adding new, relevant modules on social media professionalism, professional wardrobe planning and personal financial literacy to equip students with a more comprehensive skill set for modern work and life. With formal backing from Barbados’ Ministry of Educational Transformation and Chief Education Officer Dr. Ramona Archer-Bradshaw, the initiative has expanded from a small pilot to reach 16 of the country’s 22 secondary schools, with four new institutions—Daryll Jordan Secondary School, Deighton Griffith School, St. Leonard’s Boys’ School and The Lodge School—joining the programme during the just-concluded 2025/2026 academic year.
During the ceremony, graduates from earlier cohorts shared firsthand accounts of the programme’s lasting impact. Breanne Nanton, a member of the very first 2015 cohort who now works as a Financial Services Representative at the Barbados Public Workers’ Co-operative Credit Union while pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Banking and Finance at UWI’s Cave Hill Campus, credited the programme with giving her a critical head start for both higher education and professional work. Joshua Harewood, a 2016/2017 graduate, added that the confidence, communication skills and adaptability he built through the programme still support his professional growth nearly a decade after he completed it.
The programme’s sustained growth and expansion have been made possible by a network of regional and private partners. Initial supporter Dr. Arvat McClaine continues to fund stipends for high-performing students completing month-long internships at the UWI Global Campus. In recent years, the Sandals Foundation and Rock-Hard Cement have collectively contributed more than US$65,000 to scale the programme across Barbados, and this year, 39 graduates will secure internship placements with partner organizations.
Patrick Drake, Resort Manager at Sandals Barbados Resort and Spa and representative of the Sandals Foundation, urged graduates to continue refining their communication and negotiation skills as they enter the workforce, and reaffirmed the foundation’s long-term commitment to nurturing the next generation of regional leaders. During the ceremony, Drake also presented the Sandals Foundation Challenge Trophy for Best Michaelmas Assignment to The St. Michael School, whose student team delivered the top group presentation analyzing the pros and cons of artificial intelligence integration in K-12 education.
In his keynote address, Dr. Francis O. Severin, Pro Vice-Chancellor and Principal of UWI Global Campus, encouraged graduates to prioritize personal dignity and professional integrity, framing dignity as a long-term investment comparable to saving for the future. “Dignity must be earned, like honest money,” he told the graduating class, urging graduates to uphold ethical standards throughout their careers.
Acting Chief Education Officer Julia Beckles, speaking on behalf of Minister of Educational Transformation Chad Blackman, praised the programme for aligning with the government’s goal of cultivating well-rounded, work-ready young people. “Academic qualifications alone are no longer enough,” she reminded graduates. “The skills you have developed through this programme will enable you to navigate challenges with confidence and contribute meaningfully to your workplaces and communities.”
The ceremony also brought an exciting announcement for future participants: Akil Thompson, Senior Technical Officer at Barbados’ Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) Council, revealed that starting from the 2026/2027 academic year, all programme completers will be eligible to earn official Core Skills certifications recognized across the Caribbean, a credential expected to significantly boost graduates’ competitiveness in the regional job market.
Awards were also presented to standout students and schools during the event. Nathan Sealy from Deighton Griffith Secondary School received the first-ever Sinnette-Nguyen Challenge Trophy for the Most Outstanding Student with Exceptionalities, sponsored by Tisha Sinnette-Nguyen and John Nguyen of Massachusetts. Princess Margaret Secondary School claimed the event’s top overall honours: Tenisha David took home the Arvat McClaine Challenge Trophy for Most Outstanding Student Overall, while Dashaun Bynoe was recognized as the Most Outstanding Male graduate. School principal Veronica Annel-Agard expressed pride in the students’ achievements, noting their success reflected their talent, dedication and resilience, as well as the hard work of school facilitator Major Len Cummins.
Closing the milestone ceremony, Griffith-Carrington, the programme’s original curriculum designer, reflected on the achievement of securing formal recognition as a Caribbean Vocational Qualification (CVQ), a designation that standardizes the programme’s curriculum across the region. “I stand humbled today, knowing that what I carefully designed and crafted ten years ago will now be recognised as a Caribbean Vocational Qualification,” she said. “This is more than a certificate; it is a bridge across our islands, a standard that validates skills and opens doors for our people.”