The Cable and Wireless Charitable Foundation (CWCF) recently facilitated 140 students from across the Caribbean to successfully complete its JUMP programme.

Among the graduating cohort, 122 participants hailed from Jamaica, 14 from Barbados, and four from Grenada. The achievements of the graduates were celebrated during a virtual ceremony hosted by the foundation in July.

JUMP is a human empowerment initiative launched by the CWCF in 2022 and is aimed at bridging the digital divide, particularly for residents of marginally served communities. The programme provides participants with a free laptop, subsidised Internet service, and digital literacy training.

Rosario Veras, executive director of the CWCF, congratulated the graduates and emphasised the company’s commitment to bridging the digital divide and positively impacting lives.

“I’m so proud of all the recent graduates from the programme. At CWCF, we believe in the potential of every individual to contribute to a digitally inclusive future. Our continued investment in the JUMP programme is a clear demonstration of our commitment to empowering people and communities across the Caribbean,” she said.

Participants in the JUMP programme are required to complete training in digital fundamentals such as typing, Internet safety, and social media and Web applications. Beneficiaries of the programme also present a capstone project to demonstrate their critical thinking and problem-solving skills.

Constance Barnaby, a Jamaican health-care worker and now graduate of the JUMP programme says she hopes to pursue a career in IT.

“Before JUMP I was so afraid of the computer that I would never have gone after my dream job,” Barnaby shared. “After completing the programme, I am no longer afraid. Instead, I am now confident and empowered, and my application is pending for my dream job in the IT field,” she added.

Meanwhile, Dr Maurice McNaughton, director for the Centre of Excellence, Mona School of Business and Management, which conducted the training, remarked: “We are immensely proud of the students’ dedication and hard work. It’s not just being able to access digital tools and technologies but learning to be good digital citizens. The JUMP programme is a testament to the transformative power of digital education, and we look forward to seeing the positive impact these graduates will make in their communities.”

The CWCF said the JUMP programme will continue its expansion across the Caribbean, reinforcing the company’s dedication to investing in people and fostering digital inclusion. It is expected that participation in the JUMP programme will enable individuals across the region to capitalize on future economic opportunities in an increasingly digital world.