In a landmark virtual ceremony held on May 20, 2026, the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS) Commission formally celebrated the achievements of 172 professionals who successfully completed its year-long Advanced Digital Skills Scholarship Programme, a World Bank-backed initiative aimed at boosting regional digital competitiveness. All graduates walked away with internationally recognized industry certifications, marking a major milestone in the Caribbean’s push to build a tech-ready workforce.
The scholarship program, a core component of the $150 million World Bank-funded Caribbean Digital Transformation Project (CARDTP), is coordinated by the OECS Commission and delivered in partnership with The University of the West Indies (UWI) Global Campus. Designed to bridge the regional digital skills gap and prepare local workers for roles in the fast-growing global digital economy, the initiative brought together recipients, program partners and stakeholders from across the region for the virtual recognition event.
Speaking in her opening remarks at the ceremony, Sisera Simon, Head of the Human and Social Division at the OECS Commission, emphasized that strengthening regional digital capacity is no longer a discretionary goal but a non-negotiable foundation for long-term sustainable development. “In a world defined by rapid technological change, ensuring our citizens are equipped to thrive in the digital economy is not a matter of choice but a necessity for sustainable development,” Simon stated. She added that the program reflects the OECS’s long-standing vision to empower every citizen and institution across member states to compete on the global stage, highlighting the success of cross-regional collaboration, strategic multi-stakeholder partnerships and targeted human capital investment in driving impact. “When we provide our citizens with access to quality training, mentorship and emerging digital opportunities, they are fully capable of excelling in highly competitive global spaces,” she noted.
Dr. Francis Severin, Pro Vice-Chancellor and Principal of the UWI Global Campus, echoed Simon’s remarks, praising graduates for their dedication and proving that Caribbean professionals can compete and lead in technology-focused sectors. “Through your dedication, discipline and resilience, you have demonstrated that Caribbean citizens are prepared to lead in areas such as digital innovation, technology-enabled entrepreneurship, data literacy and emerging digital industries,” Severin said. He stressed that advanced digital expertise has become a fundamental requirement for economic growth, noting that “We cannot risk becoming overwhelmed by rapid change in these areas. We believe strongly that education must not only respond to change but must also empower our people to shape the future of the Caribbean.”
One of the most anticipated moments of the ceremony came from graduate Shazelle Isaacs Burke, who shared her personal and professional transformation through the program. Burke highlighted that the curriculum went far beyond theoretical learning, pushing participants to apply new skills to their careers and daily lives. “What stood out most is that the programme was not solely focused on theory. The assignments and reading materials challenged us to apply what we learnt not only in our careers but also in our daily life and personal development,” Burke explained. She applauded organizers for launching the initiative, noting that “every one of us is leaving this programme with valuable lessons, new skills and greater confidence in ourselves. I hope the seeds planted through this programme continue to grow, producing opportunities, success and personal advancement for years to come.”
Dr. Karin Rosemin, Scholarship Management Team Lead at UWI Global Campus, later walked attendees through the program’s structure, noting that beyond core coursework, participants gained access to one-on-one mentorship, collaborative group projects, and for students in relevant fields, professional memberships with leading global industry bodies including the Project Management Institute.
In a major announcement during the ceremony, organizers unveiled the new OECS Digital Skills Bank, a centralized online platform that will host profiles of all certified program graduates. The repository is designed to connect trained digital professionals with regional and international employers seeking verified digital expertise, with the broader goal of strengthening the Caribbean’s overall digital talent pool and reducing mismatches between skilled workers and open employment opportunities.
The OECS Commission reaffirmed its ongoing commitment to advancing digital workforce development through the Caribbean Digital Transformation Project, noting that the initiative will continue to support the upskilling of regional workers to meet the evolving demands of the global digital economy. To expand this impact, the commission also announced that applications for the second cohort of the Advanced Digital Skills Scholarship Programme will open in summer 2026, with full program details to be published on the OECS online pressroom in the coming months.