St. Lucia ConnectEd Activity Launches Innovative Digital Literacy Skills Youth Internship Program
August 14th, 2023 | Press Release
World Education and its partners, through the USAID-funded St. Lucia ConnectEd Activity, are piloting the Digital Literacy Skills Youth Internship Program this summer with fifty-six students from five educational institutions across St. Lucia.
In preparation for the internship program, the ConnectEd team hosted training workshops to equip students in both soft skills and digital skills development to ensure they excel in their assigned roles.
The trainings, facilitated by teachers and business owners with digital skills and workforce knowledge, was structured into two key segments. The first segment, dedicated to soft skills, educated interns on work and internet etiquette, such as teamwork, communication, professionalism, and problem-solving skills. Throughout the digital skills training, they strengthened their skills in social media marketing, graphic design, app development, and data management, among others.
After preparing for their internships, the 56 youth interns were placed among 14 businesses across Saint Lucia representing a variety of sectors. Over the course of six weeks, the youth interns will engage in meaningful real-life experiences, applying their digital skills through project-based learning.
To ensure internship opportunities reflect the diverse ambitions and interests of Saint Lucian youth, ConnectEd opted to expand the pool of employers beyond large-scale enterprises to include micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs). The Youth Internship Program’s special emphasis on digital skills will provide support to MSMEs who are interested in and market-ready to adapt technology into their current operations. This also presents opportunities for youth to gain crucial professional experience within the country’s growing MSME sector.
About the St. Lucia ConnectEd Activity
The St. Lucia Connected Activity is a two-year initiative funded by the U.S. Agency for International Development and implemented by World Education, a division of JSI, in partnership with St. Lucia’s Ministry of Education. The project was established to develop digital literacy and resilience in St. Lucia by raising the standard of teaching and learning through youth and educator training.
