University College of the Cayman Islands and Enterprise Cayman Launch Digital Skills Certification Programme

UCCI and Enterprise Cayman Team at UCCI-Enterprise Cayman MOU Signing

New Digital Skills Certificate Programme Designed to Upskill Caymanians and Meet the Demands of a Rapidly Changing Digital Landscape

Grand Cayman, Cayman Islands (18 September 2024) – Enterprise Cayman and the University College of the Cayman Islands (UCCI) are thrilled to announce the launch of the UCCI-Enterprise Cayman Digital Skills Certificate Programme, an accredited initiative designed to equip Caymanians with critical digital skills through a self-paced learning experience supported by expert mentors. This collaboration is part of a broader commitment to develop a future-proof workforce capable of driving economic growth and positioning the Cayman Islands as a leading jurisdiction for tech and innovation in the Caribbean.

The Honourable André Ebanks, Deputy Premier & Minister for Financial Services, Commerce and Investment, Innovation & Social Development, commended the initiative, stating, “I sincerely applaud Enterprise Cayman and UCCI for this thoughtful and meaningful initiative. It is another collaboration that illustrates the inherent connection between investment, innovation, and social development. By making an investment to offer an accreditation which will innovate the digital skills of Caymanians certainly in turn offers an opportunity to develop socially. As the digital economy evolves rapidly around the world, it is essential to offer programmes to prepare Caymanians for the jobs of the future.”

The UCCI-Enterprise Cayman Digital Skills Certificate Programme is strategically designed to help young Caymanians become workforce-ready while also helping current professionals advance to the next level in their careers. The programme underscores UCCI and Enterprise Cayman’s shared dedication to building a resilient workforce, equipped to embrace new opportunities and challenges.

Dr. Robert W. Robertson, President, and CEO of UCCI, expressed his enthusiasm about the partnership, "This collaboration marks a significant step towards addressing the national IT skills gap and will be a game changer for Caymanians. Companies in the Cayman Islands have identified technical skills as critical for employment both today and in the future. Enterprise Cayman and UCCI reiterated their commitment to be part of the solution to addressing the national IT skills gap.”

The Digital Skills Certificate offers ten transferable credits that can be applied toward the Computer Science degree programme at UCCI for those who wish to pursue further study. The curriculum covers critical digital disciplines including cybersecurity, network administration, artificial intelligence, and software development. Delivered entirely online, the programme provides a flexible, self-paced learning experience, allowing participants to progress at their own speed. Participants will benefit from a range of Cisco-certified courses, ensuring they gain industry-recognised credentials, with access to teaching assistants for guidance and support throughout the programme. Each course’s duration is fully outlined, providing participants with a clear understanding of the time commitment involved. 

Charlie Kirkconnell, Chairman of Enterprise Cayman and CEO of Cayman Enterprise City, shared his enthusiasm, saying, “We’re thrilled to launch this Digital Skills Certificate Programme with UCCI. This strategic initiative reflects our shared commitment to cultivating a highly skilled workforce, ensuring Caymanians are well-equipped to take advantage of the new and exciting career opportunities being created within our growing digital economy. By developing industry-certified professionals, we’re not only preparing individuals to make meaningful contributions but also driving innovation and diversifying the future of our economy.”

The UCCI-Enterprise Cayman Digital Skills Certificate Programme is set to commence 1 October 2024, with registrations opening 18 September 2024. An information session will be held 25 September 2024. Course fees are CI $880 and flexible payment plans are available upon request. For more information about the UCCI-Enterprise Cayman Digital Skills Certificate Program, including course details, registration, and payment plans, please visit www.enterprisecayman.ky/ucci-ec-certification.