Caribbean News
CDB Youth Fire brings Real Talk about Youth Employability
By Dana Malcolm
Staff Writer
What makes Caribbean youth attractive to employers? What do they need to secure a job? Session two of the Caribbean Development Banks Youth FIRE session aimed to answer that question.
The session took on the issue of youth employability which affects nations globally and centred the voices of the people most affected by the phenomenon. Instead of taking the usual approach of mentoring successful high school students or college students, panellists assed the root problems of vulnerable communities that hindered employability and stopped many students from ever getting to the ‘high school graduate’ stage. Speakers explored ways to fix those issues to create equal footing early for the students who would make up the workforce in the next 15 years.
Tracey-Ann Ramkissoon, a banker, environmentalist, and social activist moderated the session. One of the main issues that most of the advocates faced was a lack of inclusivity and support in the education system for women, indigenous and immigrant children, and disabled people specifically. To make employable adults, they said, children must all be afforded level opportunities.
Human resources practitioner and the founder of ‘Just Believe Enterprises Katrina Reece Burley, who is disabled, lamented how the lack of inclusivity made it hard for disabled persons to get and maintain jobs. She insisted that the system must become more friendly to disabled persons.
“Change must occur at all levels of society where we recognize that everyone is different,” she said. Burley maintained that if all students were to succeed, inclusive education would be a must in the digital age.
Graduate of the EPOS Youth Entrepreneurial program, 17-year-old Obrina Wickham explained that participation in courses she found interesting had prepared her for the workplace and expressed her hope that other young people would be able to do the same.
“We need a society and economy that allows young people to explore their individuality and bring their new talents to the workplace.’ she said.
Kalinago Inclusion Advocate and Nanichi Foundation founder Amy Francis spearheads a foundation that supports young people in need in the Kalinago territory and allows them better access to learning supplies. Despite their contributions to society Kalinago children face stigma which impacts their access to resources, which in turn affects their employability.
“I believe if we give them the proper foundation, these children can move mountains.” Francis maintained.
Francis said scaling up programs that improved literacy in areas like finance and science and integrating indigenous knowledge in schools would help bridge the gap.
Assistant Financial Controller Ariella Misick explained the playing field was not always level for different students with different backgrounds and that as an immigrant to the Turks and Caicos she was well aware of this. She said immigrant children, especially those who needed to learn a new language, needed greater support. Directly to the TCI, she recommended that TVET Schools and community centres extend exit readiness programs to cater to students who need extra help.
“Inclusive societies are healthy societies and integration is important for self-actualization, for fostering innovation and contributing to a stronger economy,” she explained.
Panellist Keithlin Caroo who is the CEO of Helen’s Daughters, a grassroots organisation that focuses on representation for women in agriculture, was a UN Peacekeeper and Advisor on climate change issues for years. Caroo was uncomfortable with the underrepresentation of Caribbean countries especially in agriculture in the UN and how solutions for Agriculture seemed to come from the ‘top down’.
She worked to amplify the voices of women and Caribbean people on stages where their voices were lost. With that experience, she maintains that employability skills now are vastly different from 30 years ago.
“Before we wanted to secure an 8-5 job with a good pension and benefits, we’re in a world now where we need to create opportunities for ourselves.”
For this world, she said ‘employability’ is grit, persistence, the ability to pivot, a good understanding of underground trends, and taking advantage of niche markets. She encouraged the use of the internet to ‘upskill yourself’.
“You can get a degree but the internet is a world of things… instead of spending hours and hours on social media try to use that time to upskill yourselves in whatever niche market you have found.”
CEO of Dynamic Enterprises and ‘motor medical professional’ Malcolm Wills uses 3D printing to create prosthetics for amputees in Guyana. He stressed the skill of persistence, maintaining that nothing happens overnight. His
market is truly a niche market that he has taken charge of, and he has four ways that entrepreneurs can really improve their skills:
-Commitment to research, research is 80-90% of the work.
-Getting in alignment with training programs that complement and expand your knowledge
-Growing your network and making strong meaningful connections
-Forging strategic partnerships
CEO of Kee Farms, Nicholas Kee, maintains that we live in a digital world and that is something that youth must use to their advantage by acquiring knowledge in niche areas of interest.
In terms of closing employability gaps, Caroo maintained that gaining experience during school was paramount instead of waiting until graduation.
“Sometimes you will not make money from that…it won’t be glory immediately, it starts with sacrifice,” she said.
A regional or national skills forum is what Wills recommends for success in the region when it comes to having a well-trained youth force and beating the employability gap
Additionally, Kee stressed that a bolstering of the telecom’s infrastructure needs to be undertaken immediately because without that we will remain behind.
“If we don’t address these things, we will essentially be locked out from different opportunities that the rest of the world presents, from the global north especially, and it also prevents us from creating our own opportunities.”
One takeaway Caroo mentioned that could really propel Caribbean youth through the business world was self-belief.
“There’s so much promise in the Caribbean region and there are so many problems, but we already have such innovative solutions, so it’s a matter of picking up the mantle, believing in yourself, and investing in yourself”
Kee mentioned curiosity and passion as his main takeaway encouraging young people to stay hungry and curious. Wills on the other hand said his main takeaway was prior preparation adding that just like with the Covid-19 pandemic you never know what the future holds.
Antigua & Barbuda, May 4, 2026 – Prime Minister Gaston Browne has secured a historic fourth consecutive term in office, leading the
Antigua and Barbuda Labour Party to a commanding victory in the country’s snap general election held April 30, 2026.
Preliminary results show Browne’s party capturing 15 of the 17 seats in Parliament, tightening its grip on power and dramatically weakening the opposition.
The main opposition United Progressive Party was reduced to just one seat, held by its leader, while the Barbuda People’s Movement retained its single constituency in Barbuda.
The result marks a major political turnaround for Browne, whose party had won a much narrower 9–7 majority in the 2023 election before rebuilding support through defections and by-elections.
Voter turnout figures vary in early reports, with initial estimates indicating participation of around 35.8 percent, or roughly 22,700 voters
out of more than 63,000 registered. However, broader election data suggests overall turnout may have exceeded 60 percent, reflecting steady engagement despite political tensions.
The election, called nearly two years ahead of schedule, was shaped by concerns over the cost of living, global economic pressures and fallout from U.S. visa restrictions linked to the country’s citizenship-by-investment programme.
Despite those issues, Browne campaigned on economic stability and continued development, pointing to a strong tourism recovery and ongoing infrastructure expansion.
The decisive victory now strengthens his mandate, but also raises questions about the future of the opposition, which faces internal challenges after significant losses at the polls.
Angle by Deandrea Hamilton. Built with ChatGPT (AI). Magnetic Media — CAPTURING LIFE.
May 4, 2026 – This is not just a family dispute. It is a fight over control of a tourism empire.
At the centre is Adam Stewart, who has secured a series of legal victories across the region as challenges continue over the estate and leadership structure of Sandals Resorts International.
The multi-billion-dollar conglomerate was built by the late Gordon “Butch” Stewart, whose passing in 2021 set off a complex and ongoing dispute involving family members, estate arrangements and control of the business.
In recent rulings, courts in both The Bahamas and Jamaica have reinforced Adam Stewart’s position, effectively allowing him to continue leading the company while defending his role against legal challenges.
One key issue has centred on the interpretation of estate provisions, including whether defending his leadership could jeopardise his inheritance. The courts have ruled in his favour, clearing the way for him to maintain control without penalty.
For now, those decisions bring a measure of stability to one of the Caribbean’s most influential tourism brands.
But the matter is far from settled.
Multiple legal challenges and competing claims within the Stewart family remain active, meaning the future structure of the company is still
being contested.
The implications stretch well beyond the courtroom.
Sandals operates across several Caribbean nations, including The Bahamas, Turks and Caicos Islands, Jamaica and Saint Lucia, making it a critical player in regional tourism, employment and investment.
Any uncertainty at the top of the organisation has the potential to ripple across economies that rely heavily on the brand’s continued expansion and stability.
For now, Adam Stewart remains firmly in charge. He was named Executive Chairman of Sandals Resorts International in 2021.
Still, many are keen on the outcomes of ongoing litigation, as the battle over one of the Caribbean’s most powerful business empires is still unfolding.
Angle by Deandrea Hamilton. Built with ChatGPT (AI). Magnetic Media — CAPTURING LIFE.
Montego Bay, Jamaica, April 22, 2026 — At Sandals and Beaches Resorts, leadership excellence is par for the course. This is increasingly evident as the Sandals Corporate University (SCU) continues to provide team members with extraordinary opportunities for higher education, growth and professional development.
Facilitated through the SCU, the programmes offered executive team members the opportunity to pursue advanced studies with Les Roches,
an internationally recognised Swiss hospitality university accredited by the New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE). Renowned for its comprehensive hospitality curriculum, Les Roches was also recently ranked #2 in the world in Hospitality & Leisure Management by the QS World University Rankings 2026.
The graduating group included EMBA recipients: Heather Effs, regional manager, entertainment – Sandals Resorts, Jamaica, Della John, general manager at Sandals Grande St. Lucian and Melissa Stacy Giddings, regional manager, entertainment in the Eastern Caribbean. Also graduating was Senior Wedding Manager at Sandals Royal Bahamian, Samaria Smith-Cooper who completed the EMIHM programme.
While studying for their degrees, the EMBA students were able to enhance their experience through immersive classroom learning, travelling to the Les Roches campuses in Switzerland and Dubai to participate in the institution’s Residential Weeks. Both weeks, which took place at the start and toward the end of the course, provided the leaders with opportunities for in depth academic exposure, training and collaboration with fellow students from around the world.
Reflecting on their experiences and their decisions to pursue higher education through the SCU, each graduate expressed long standing aspirations to further their education and earn their master’s degrees and extended gratitude to the SCU for making those dreams a reality.
John, who graduated with distinction, shared that it was a proud and emotional moment when she crossed the stage to collect her certificate. She recalled that while the programme was demanding, the opportunity to deepen her knowledge of the hospitality industry on a global level made the journey a rewarding one.
“Education has always been intrinsic to who I am. I believe we must continuously learn so we can grow in this industry where we serve and lead others. This programme allowed me to sharpen my tools as a leader while gaining a broader global perspective on hospitality and tourism. Collaborating with professionals from different countries and cultures was an incredible experience and it challenged me to think differently about the future of our industry,” she remarked.
“My journey continues as I will keep sharing what I have learned to strengthen our teams and our brand every single day.”
For Giddings, the opportunity to network, study with her colleagues and lean into the vastness of hospitality was all the motivation she needed to embark on her Les Roches journey.
“I thought to myself, this was my chance to learn, expand and grow with two women I highly admire and respect.”
She noted that the coursework itself was not without its challenges, but she recognised the value in pushing forward to earn her degree which would inevitably allow her to take the next step in her career.
“It is an investment in yourself. I feel a profound sense of achievement and confidence and I feel prepared and excited about the opportunities that lie ahead,” she added.
Smith-Cooper shared that the EMIHM programme was the perfect opportunity to discover what she was capable of. However, between 
designing dream destination weddings for couples and navigating parenthood and life in general, she admitted that the undertaking was no small feat.
“One of my biggest challenges was balancing school with my everyday responsibilities at work, at home and in my personal life but this experience showed me that my capacity could grow.”
Despite the demands, she credits determination, self-belief and the encouragement of a strong support system for helping her see the journey through.
“Today, I feel proud, relieved, accomplished and more confident. This programme has helped to build my skills and prepare me for new responsibilities and future opportunities.”
Effs, who also earned her EMBA with distinction, regarded the experience as a transformative step in her professional journey.
“Pursuing this programme was truly a leap of faith for me. The coursework challenged me intellectually and professionally, but each module stretched me in the best way. I was constantly learning, applying and evolving.”
The regional entertainment manager also encouraged other team members to take advantage of the opportunities available through SCU.
“To anyone considering taking the next step through SCU, my advice is simple: take the leap of faith. Trust yourself. Tap into your superpowers. Growth begins the moment you step outside of your comfort zone. The journey may challenge you, but it will also transform you,” Effs added.
Speaking on the partnership with Les Roches, Senior Corporate Director of the SCU, Dr. Luz Longsworth expressed her appreciation for the calibre of hospitality training offered by the institution.
“Les Roches’ commitment to working with the Caribbean really impressed us and we were excited to take a team to Marbella to visit their campus and explore the possibilities for collaboration. The quality of the programme strengthens the capacity of our leaders to navigate the complex and ever evolving world of hospitality and it is highly relevant to the needs of our region,” she shared.
The Sandals Corporate University remains committed to empowering team members through world class training and educational opportunities. By investing in leadership development and professional advancement, SCU continues to equip its people with the tools needed to grow while helping to shape the next generation of hospitality leaders across the Caribbean.
Captions:
Header: SCU Grads 1: Regional Manager, Entertainment – Sandals Resorts, Jamaica, Heather Effs can’t help but strike a playful pose after crossing the Les Roches stage to collect her degree; and SCU Grads 2: Della John, general manager at Sandals Grande St. Lucia is snapped on stage with the Les Roches team at the graduation ceremony held in Switzerland.
1st insert: Senior Wedding Manager at Sandals Royal Bahamian, Samaria Smith-Cooper takes a quick selfie moment post-graduation.
2nd Insert: Melissa Stacy Giddings, regional entertainment manager for the Eastern Caribbean is all joy after completing the postgraduate programme.
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