KINGSTON, Jamaica — Thirty young Jamaicans, aged 18 to 24, have commenced a six-month intensive cybersecurity training programme at the newly launched Jamaica Cyber Youth Empowerment Academy.

The Academy is a collaborative initiative involving the Office of the Prime Minister (OPM), the Ministry of National Security and Peace, and the Organisation of American States (OAS), with funding support from the Government of Canada.

Developed under the OAS Inter-American Committee against Terrorism (CICTE) Cybersecurity Talent and Workforce Development Programme, the academy is the first of its kind in the Americas.

The institution was officially launched during a ceremony held at the S Hotel in New Kingston on Monday.

Permanent Secretary in the OPM, Ambassador Dr Rocky Meade, who delivered the keynote address, noted the shortage of skilled individuals in the cyber security field at the global, regional, and national levels.

“According to the latest available data, the cyber security workforce gap worldwide is over 4.8 million. North America, our area, has a gap of just over half a million, according to the recent report,” he stated.

Meade pointed out that while Jamaica’s cybersecurity skills gap has not yet been quantified, public and private sector entities are increasingly recognising the need for trained professionals to support their operations.

He further explained that despite the high demand for cybersecurity experts, a shortage persists—driven by limited awareness of the field’s rewarding career opportunities, outdated and lengthy training programmes, misconceptions about complexity and accessibility, and the prohibitive cost of certifications.

Meade advised that the Government is working with international partners to equip young Jamaicans with the technical skills and certification required to launch careers in cybersecurity.

“We have another programme that will do similar training, the Vincula LAC (Latin America and the Caribbean) World Bank Pilot Project, of which Jamaica will be implementing about 500 opportunities for training. Two hundred persons will receive dedicated cybersecurity training, while the remainder will benefit from other technical and soft skills that are associated,” the permanent secretary informed.

Meade emphasised that Jamaica requires talented, skilled, and dedicated professionals to achieve national cybersecurity and data sovereignty as it advances toward developed country status.

In her remarks, Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of National Security and Peace, Ambassador Alison Stone Roofe, said the academy’s establishment signals the Government’s unwavering commitment to positioning Jamaica at the forefront of regional efforts to cultivate skilled cybersecurity talent and strengthen national resilience.

She encouraged the 30 trainees to make the most of the opportunity, noting that the significant investment will provide them with foundational cybersecurity knowledge and practical insights into the secure use of emerging technologies.

“I look forward to witnessing the transformative impact this academy will have on our young people and our nation as a whole,” Stone Roofe added.

— JIS