Persons under the age of 30, who are technologically savvy, are getting a chance to put their skills to use and be part of a regional competition for new mobile apps.
The competition will form part of a regional initiative called Digital Jam 3.0, which was launched in Dominica on Friday at the State College.
The initiative seeks solution to high youth unemployment in the Caribbean “via new opportunities in the virtual global economy including new niches such as micro-work, e-lancing and the app economy.”
Other aspects of the initiative include workshops “to explore work opportunities in the global virtual economy” and a conference where entrepreneurs from across the Caribbean will present their success stories.
The project, was portrayed by the Head of the Unit of the OECS-Export Development Unit Vincent Philbert, as “thrilling and pioneering.”
“This exciting, innovative project marks the beginning of what we expect, will be a continuing partnership for similar and other initiatives aimed at stimulating innovation, creativity and enterprise competitiveness in the economic union,” he said during a speech at the Conference room of the Dominica State College on Friday.
He said Dominica is the first OECS country where this project is launched and Barbados will follow in the coming days.
Philbert added that the initiative is timely for the OECS “when our internal capacity at the Export Development Unit (EDU) is being strengthened to be able to prove strong, effective, partnerships in order to deliver high value, quality, innovative products and services for enterprise development in the Economic Union”.
The mobile app development competition is divided into three parts World Bank’s project officer, Nicola Magri, said. “One is general you can come up with whatever you want, the second one is about gaming and the third is for apps using Microsoft Apps studio,” he stated.
The World Bank is a partner in the project.
Those interested in participating, can register at Digital Jam’s Facebook page.
Digital Jam 3.0 is a regional initiative of the government of Jamaica.
The project aims at connecting youth to the Information Technology Industry leaders in the world and provide top notch training by global experts, encourage a culture of entrepreneurship and connect with international networks and centers of excellence.
By organizing competitions young people will be provided with a stage where they can showcase their talent, creativity and innovative skills.
The final event will take place in Kingston Jamaica on March 1-2, 2014.
Training workshops and capacity building activities to raise awareness about online work opportunities and to prepare youths for the grand finale will be held throughout the Caribbean from November 2013 to February 2014.
I thought DA did not have an unemployment problem since uwp held this seminar everybody now accepting the fact their is unemployment in the country. This is a politics trick by the preseient of the college to help his friend. who they think they fooling me, win and come again
Did you even take the time to read the article or visit the facebook page to see that this is a regional initiative that just happened to be launched in Dominica 1st in the OECS. Does everything have to be about politics in this place? (I’m honestly starting to lean towards registering to vote against this wave of political non-sense (lesser of all evils)).
No wonder investors afraid to mention investments in D/ca before all their plans are concrete. Get a grip on life man. The OECS is non-partisan. Even I know that at my age.
I had a discussion with someone last week and that was exactly our topic. Now I am reading this….Wonderful!
where was all these initiative to tackle the and address all the unemployment that has plunder this country in the abbis of hell on the way to no return.
so it was posible to make the life of Dominicans much better,
thats the reason i belive in the UWP they make things happened even when they are not in power. please continue this Initiative that will make the lifes of the youth better so the Mr linton and his team will have to continue from where you folks left out . dont worry we coming to build this country. my home land is bleeding with all pain and hurt that this bunch of blood suckers did to you . IF DOMINICA COULD TALK. IF DOMINICA COULD TALK. IF DOMINICA COULD TALK.
Great initiative. I visited the the facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/DigitalJam3) and am interested in this venture.