The University of the West Indies Global Campus Alumni Office has marked a decade of youth development with the tenth Recognition Ceremony of the 'Preparing Today for Tomorrow's Challenges – Transforming Children's Lives' (PTFTC-TCL) Alumni Outreach Programme, held in collaboration with the Sandals Foundation at the Sandals Royal Ballroom.
The ceremony celebrated 149 students who successfully completed the six-month programme during the 2025/2026 academic year, while commemorating ten years of equipping young people with critical employability and life skills.
The programme was conceptualised in 2015 by Miss Faith Richards, a teacher at The Ellerslie School, after she observed that many students lacked the essential soft skills needed to succeed in the workplace. Mrs. Sandra Griffith-Carrington subsequently designed and developed the initial curriculum, comprising eight modules: Presenting Yourself Properly, Effective Communication, The Use of Tele/Videoconferencing, Dealing with Difficult People, Conflict Resolution, Basic Etiquette (Social, Dining and Business), Résumé Preparation, and The Interview Process.
The curriculum has since expanded to include modules in Social Media, developed by Mr. Alex Cumberbatch in 2018/2019; Wardrobe Management, developed by Ms. Sandra Osborne in 2019/2020; and Personal Financial Matters, developed by Ms. Shelly-Ann Roberts in 2020/2021. The programme now reaches 16 of Barbados' 22 secondary schools, with the endorsement of the Ministry of Educational Transformation and Chief Education Officer Dr. Ramona Archer-Bradshaw. This year, Daryll Jordan Secondary School, Deighton Griffith School, St. Leonard's Boys' School, and The Lodge School joined the initiative. Over the past decade, more than 1,800 students have benefited from the programme.
Two past graduates offered commendations to Mrs. Griffith-Carrington during the ceremony. Miss Breanne Nanton, a member of the first cohort and now a Financial Services Representative at the Barbados Public Workers' Co-operative Credit Union and a final-year BSc Banking and Finance student at The UWI Cave Hill Campus, said the programme was instrumental in preparing her for both academic and professional success. Mr. Joshua Harewood, a graduate of the 2016/2017 cohort, said the programme helped him develop confidence, communication, and adaptability skills that he continues to draw on nearly a decade later.
The programme's success has been supported by a range of sponsors. Initial sponsor Dr. Arvat McClaine provides stipends for top-performing students during their month-long internships at The UWI Global Campus. More recently, the Sandals Foundation, in collaboration with Rock-Hard Cement, has contributed more than US$65,000 toward the programme's expansion. This year, 39 students will benefit from internship placements provided by participating companies.
At the ceremony, Sandals Foundation representative Mr. Patrick Drake, Resort Manager of Sandals Barbados Resort and Spa, underscored the importance of soft skills including communication and negotiation as students embark on their careers. He reaffirmed the Foundation's commitment to empowering young people as the future leaders of the region. Mr. Drake presented the Sandals Foundation Challenge Trophy for Best Michaelmas Assignment to The St. Michael School, which recognised the best group presentation — this year focused on the advantages and disadvantages of artificial intelligence in schools.
Dr. Francis O. Severin, Pro Vice-Chancellor and Principal of The UWI Global Campus, drew an analogy between saving dignity as a personal value and financial savings, arguing that both, if diligently pursued, provide a sense of self and security, prepare individuals for emergencies, enable them to achieve personal goals, and build long-term stability. He reminded graduates to conduct themselves with self-respect in all endeavours, concluding that "dignity must be earned, like honest money."
Mrs. Julia Beckles, Acting Chief Education Officer, delivered remarks on behalf of Minister of Educational Transformation the Honourable Chad Blackman. She praised the PTFTC-TCL Programme for aligning with the Ministry's goal of holistic student development. "Academic qualifications alone are no longer enough," she told 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."
A significant milestone was announced by Mr. Akil Thompson, Senior Technical Officer at the Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) Council. Beginning in the 2026/2027 academic year, students of the programme will be eligible to earn Core Skills certifications recognised across the region, enhancing their marketability and competitive standing in the workforce.
Among the awards presented, the inaugural Sinnette-Nguyen Challenge Trophy for the Most Outstanding Student with Exceptionalities went to Nathan Sealy of Deighton Griffith Secondary School. The award was sponsored by Mrs. Tisha Sinnette-Nguyen and Mr. John Nguyen of Massachusetts, USA. Princess Margaret Secondary School claimed two top honours: the Arvat McClaine Challenge Trophy for Most Outstanding Student Overall, awarded to Tenisha David, and the award for Most Outstanding Male, presented to Dashaun Bynoe. Principal Mrs. Veronica Annel-Agard said the achievements reflected the students' "talent, dedication, resilience, and the work of the school's facilitator, Major Len Cummins."
Closing the ceremony, Programme Designer and Coordinator Mrs. Sandra Griffith-Carrington drew on the mottos of the sixteen participating schools to offer words of encouragement to graduates. Reflecting on the programme's forthcoming recognition as a Caribbean Vocational Qualification, she said: "I stand humbled today, knowing that what I carefully designed and crafted ten years ago will now be recognised as a Caribbean Vocational Qualification. This is more than a certificate; it is a bridge across our islands, a standard that validates skills and opens doors for our people."
