In keeping with its focus on bridging the digital literacy and skills gap, the GraceKennedy (GK) Digital Factory recently hosted a back-to-school mentorship day for students aged 9-16 years, under the theme: Innovators of Tomorrow: Discovering Digital Careers.

The event, held at GK’s Digital Factory on Belmont Road, hosted 20 young people from Majesty Gardens exposing them to the broad range of career possibilities in the tech industry.

The participants engaged in hands-on sessions with members of GK’s Digital Factory team and the GraceKennedy Financial Group (GKFG) covering topics such as robotics, tech start-ups, UX/UI design, and creating their own digital products, and aimed to expose participants to the world of tech.

In his opening remarks at the event, Rickardo Ebanks, chief digital officer at GKFG noted, “At GK, we envision a future powered by technology… We also believe in nurturing the next generation of tech innovators… [W]e have offered these young people a chance to explore the world of digital careers. We have been motivated to see how receptive they have been, and hope that these sessions will inspire them to pursue a future in technology and contribute to Jamaica’s digital progress.”

The forum also showcased several success stories of team members who have built careers at GK, highlighting how they used tech and financial literacy to chart their professional paths within the GK Group.

Steven Whittingham, Deputy CEO of GKFG and GK’s head of digital transformation, highlighted the case of Rajae Robinson, who, after being awarded an internship at GK in 2023 while attending University of Technology, Jamaica, was successful in securing a role as a software developer in GK’s Digital Factory upon completing his studies.

Robinson, who is now a part of the team that develops features for the GK One app, spoke to participants about what it takes to join the world of tech:

“Technology is constantly evolving, and there are endless opportunities in the digital world. My journey from intern to software developer at GK’s Digital Factory shows that with dedication, hard work, and a passion for learning, you can build an exciting career in tech. Don’t be afraid to dream big and start early — the skills you develop now can shape your future in this innovative field,” he said.

GraceKennedy launched its Digital Factory in 2021 to meet the needs of its clients in a digital future. The Factory, which is focused on app development and the digital transformation of GK’s food and financial services businesses, is also a hub for young talent. With 95 per cent of its employees being millennials or Gen-Z, the Factory continues to expand its digital footprint and empower the next generation.

The 2024 back-to-school mentorship day aligned with GK’s long-standing We Care ethos and builds on its ongoing commitment to youth development and investing in the communities it serves.