PTFTC-TCL Programme 2025/2026 Graduates with Speakers and Facilitators
The University of the West Indies Global Campus Alumni Office recently hosted the tenth Recognition Ceremony of the ‘Preparing Today for Tomorrow’s Challenges – Transforming Children’s Lives’ (PTFTC-TCL) Alumni Outreach Programme in collaboration with the Sandals Foundation.
Held at the Sandals Royal Ballroom, the ceremony celebrated the achievements of 149 students who successfully completed the six-month programme during the 2025/2026 academic year and commemorated a decade of empowering young people through skills development.
The Programme was conceptualised in 2015 by Miss Faith Richards, a teacher at The Ellerslie School, after she observed that many of her students lacked the essential soft (employability) skills needed to succeed in the workplace.
In response, Mrs. Sandra Griffith-Carrington designed and developed the initial curriculum, which comprised 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 Programme subsequently expanded to include additional 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 curriculum adopts a holistic approach, equipping students with the knowledge and skills needed not only to succeed in the workplace but also to navigate life more confidently and effectively.
Through the endorsement and support of the Ministry of Educational Transformation and the Chief Education Officer, Dr. Ramona Archer-Bradshaw, the Programme has expanded to 16 of Barbados’ 22 secondary schools.
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, the Programme has impacted the lives of more than 1,800 students.
During the ceremony, two past graduates expressed high commendations to Mrs. Griffith-Carrington for her unwavering and conscientious dedication to transforming the lives of young people.
One former student, a member of the first cohort, Miss Breanne Nanton, now a Financial Services Representative at the Barbados Public Workers’ Co-operative Credit Union and a final-year student in the BSc Banking and Finance programme at The UWI Cave Hill Campus, shared that the Programme was instrumental in preparing her to continue her academic journey and succeed in the world of work.
Another graduate (2026/2017 cohort), Mr. Joshua Harewood, said the Programme helped him to develop the confidence, communication, and adaptability skills that he continues to apply nearly a decade after completing the course.
The success of the Programme is due in part to the support and generosity of its sponsors.
Contributions from the Programme’s initial sponsor, Dr. Arvat McClaine, ensure that the best-performing students receive stipends 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 to support the Programme’s expansion.
Special mention must also be made of the many companies that provide annual internship opportunities for the students. This year, 39 students will benefit from these placements.
At this year’s Recognition Ceremony, the Sandals Foundation was represented by Mr. Patrick Drake, Resort Manager, Sandals Barbados Resort and Spa, who reminded students of the importance of soft skills, including communication and negotiation, as they begin their career journeys.
He also reaffirmed the Foundation’s commitment to empowering young people, the future leaders of the Region. Mr. Drake presented the Sandals Foundation Challenge Trophy for Best Michaelmas Assignment to The St. Michael School.
The award recognises the school that delivers the best group presentation. This year, students presented arguments on the advantages and disadvantages of the use of artificial intelligence in schools.
In his remarks, Dr. Francis O. Severin, Pro Vice-Chancellor and Principal, The UWI Global Campus, addressed the matter of ‘banking’ dignity for present and future returns on that investment, by drawing an interesting analogy between saving dignity as a value and financial savings.
The two were similar because, if diligently pursued, enabled the PTFTC-TCL graduates to later provide them with a sense of self and security; prepared them for emergencies; enabled them to achieve personal goals; and built long-term “dignity stability”.
He reminded students that they should conduct themselves with self-respect in all that they undertook to avoid situations that may cause embarrassment in the future, particularly as they pursued employment opportunities. He concluded that “dignity must be earned, like honest money.”
Delivering remarks on behalf of The Honourable Chad Blackman, Minister of Educational Transformation, Mrs. Julia Beckles, Acting Chief Education Officer, praised initiatives such as the PTFTC-TCL Programme, which aligned with the Ministry’s goal of transforming education through a focus on the holistic development of students beyond academic excellence. Addressing the graduates, Ms. Beckles noted, ‘academic qualifications alone are no longer enough. The skills you have developed through this programme will enable you to navigate challenges with confidence and contribute meaningfully to your workplaces and communities’
Mr. Akil Thompson, Senior Technical Officer, Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) Council, made the special announcement that, beginning in the 2026/2027 academic year, students of the Programme will be eligible to earn Core Skills certifications. He noted that these certifications, recognised across the Region, will enhance students’ marketability and provide them with a competitive advantage in the workforce.
The inaugural Sinnette-Nguyen Challenge Trophy for the Most Outstanding Student with Exceptionalities was awarded to Nathan Sealy of Deighton Griffith Secondary School. Mrs. Tisha Sinnette-Nguyen and Mr. John Nguyen of Massachusetts, USA, sponsored the award. Mrs. Sinnette-Nguyen is a strong believer in the ability of education to develop individuals.
Princess Margaret Secondary School received the two top awards. The Arvat McClaine Challenge Trophy for the Most Outstanding Student Overall was awarded to Tenisha David, while the award for Most Outstanding Male was presented to Dashaun Bynoe. Upon receiving the awards, Principal Mrs. Veronica Annel-Agard stated, “We are immensely proud of our students for capturing the top awards at the PTFTC-TCL Recognition Ceremony. Their success is a testament to their talent, dedication, resilience, and the work of the school’s facilitator, Major Len Cummins.”
Mrs. Sandra Griffith-Carrington, Campus Officer of Alumni Relations, The UWI Global Campus and PTFTC-TCL Programme Designer and Coordinator, creatively drew inspiration from the mottos of the sixteen participating schools to offer words of encouragement to the graduates as they continue their journeys in life. Reflecting on the significance of the programme’s recognition as a Caribbean Vocational Qualification, Mrs. Griffith-Carrington 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.”
This article was originally published by Antigua News Room. Read the original article here: The UWI Global Campus Alumni Office Marks a Decade of Excellence in Youth Development.