Empowering youth today for the jobs of tomorrow.

RBC, in collaboration with The UWI, has launched a forum to help youth prepare for the changing world of work – the RBC Future Launch Forum.

The launch was held on Tuesday, January 22, 2019, in the Walcott Warner Theatre of the Errol Barrow Centre for Creative Imagination. The discussion was led by Lauragaye Jackson, and featured the insights of Deputy Principal Clive Landis, student/entrepreneur Tiffany Taylor; founder of entrepreneurial hub, Ten Habitat, Selwyn Cambridge; and Director of Youth Affairs, Cleviston Hunte.

Through the RBC Future Launch Forum, RBC and The UWI will work with young people to bring community leaders, industry experts, governments, educators, and employers together to help design solutions to current societal concerns, and harness resources for youth to chart a more successful future in the face of growing uncertainty.

The RBC Future Launch programme will seek to address several areas of youth concern, including, but not limited to: opportunities to gain experience relevant to their areas of interest/study; enhancement of relevant skills; the building of knowledge networks and preparation for future readiness.

The programme was initially launched in Canada in 2017, and also has a regional presence in The Bahamas and Trinidad and Tobago.

Speaking at the launch, Managing Director of RBC Royal Bank (Barbados), Robert DaSilva emphasized the importance of the initiative, locally, regionally and internationally.

“No matter where in the world we go – Barbados, Trinidad and Tobago, The Bahamas, Canada, the United States, wherever – we see young people facing similar challenges when it comes to the job market. By bringing stakeholders and students together we can co-create solutions to better prepare our youth for the future of work,” he said.

CAPTION: Panellists Lauragaye Jackson, Robert DaSilva, Selwyn Cambridge, Cleviston Hunte, Professor Clive Landis and Tiffany Taylor at the inaugural RBC Future Launch Forum in Barbados.