Sun | Feb 8, 2026

Commonwealth Scholarship alumni, MoE host workshops for at-risk youth

Published:Monday | February 3, 2025 | 4:54 PM
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Gihon Mitchell, senior youth employment officer at the Ministry of Education, Skills, Youth, and Information, presents tokens to participants following his presentation.
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Gihon Mitchell, senior youth employment officer at the Ministry of Education, Skills, Youth, and Information, presents tokens to participants following his presentation.
Members of the Commonwealth Scholarship Alumni Association of Jamaica (CSAAJ) Executive team and planning committee are from left; Sandrea Johnson, Public Relations and Marketing Officer; Tarik Dixon, President, and Tricia Anne-Mclean-Rowe, Secretary)
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Members of the Commonwealth Scholarship Alumni Association of Jamaica (CSAAJ) Executive team and planning committee are from left; Sandrea Johnson, Public Relations and Marketing Officer; Tarik Dixon, President, and Tricia Anne-Mclean-Rowe, Secretary)
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The Commonwealth Scholarship Alumni Association of Jamaica (CSAAJ), in partnership with the Ministry of Education and the Technology Innovation Centre at the University of Technology, hosted a transformative workshop on January 23.

The event, titled “Pathways to Success: Employment Strategies for Empowering At-Risk Youth,” was held at the University of Technology’s Lecture Theatre 50 and drew approximately 20 young individuals from communities across Jamaica, including August Town, Majestic Gardens, Naggo Head, New Lands, Spanish Town in St Catherine and Montego Bay in St James.

The workshop, which offered insights on overcoming employment challenges and building sustainable careers, was convened by Dr Kerrisa Nelson, a PhD Commonwealth Scholarship alumni, with funding from the Alumni Community Engagement Fund in the United Kingdom.

Presenting on strategies for success was a dynamic group of experts, including Gihon Mitchell, senior youth employment officer at the Ministry of Education, Skills, Youth, and Information; Gavin Myers, policy lead at Slashroots Foundation and Andrea Bolton Fyffe, manager of the Technology Innovation Centre at the University of Technology.

The session was facilitated by Tarik Dixon, president of the Commonwealth Scholarship Alumni Association of Jamaica (CSAAJ), and Tricia-Anne McLean-Rowe, the association’s secretary.Together, they led the workshop through interactive discussions, skill-building exercises, and mentorship opportunities designed to inspire and equip participants with practical tools for success.

A release from the event, noted that Dixon in his address emphasised the importance of providing guidance and support to youth at critical junctures in their lives. “We are here today to show you that the future is not defined by your circumstances, but by the choices you make. By equipping you with the right skills and mindset, we are opening doors to endless possibilities,” he stated.

Mitchell underscored the significance of equipping youth with employable skills. “Our young people are not just the leaders of tomorrow – they have the power to shape their futures today. With the right opportunities and mentorship, you can break the cycle of disadvantage and thrive in today’s workforce,” he noted.

The workshop was designed to not only guide youth in securing employment but also to inspire them to explore entrepreneurship, innovation, and diverse career opportunities.