Business View Caribbean | Volume 8, Issue 9

12 BUSINESS VIEW CARIBBEAN VOLUME 8, ISSUE 9 this increasingly urgent, and unmet need and demand. At the government level, this will also mean developing comprehensive education, social welfare, and economic policies. Addressing digital inclusion and proliferating digital skills across CARICOM in a comprehensive, strategic manner will add another important layer to being “A Community for All”, as it will help to ensure that all CARICOM citizens have the necessary skills and can participate meaningfully in society. Digital skills for CARICOM citizens were already envisioned as we crafted the CARICOM Single ICT space in 2014 and, in 2017, the Human Resource Development Strategy 2030. Those skills are identified as key inputs to achieving the Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 4, which aims to “ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all.” The need to close the global skills gap is now urgent. While the full effects and numbers of this gap in CARICOM are not yet known, I am happy to share that the CARICOM Secretariat will embark, in 2022, on an ICT Sector gap analysis across the whole of CARICOM, with funding provided under the 11th European Development Fund (EDF). This gap analysis will support the recovery efforts of the Region, through the identification and quantification of critical parts of our digital infrastructure, and help to fast- track digital transformation. The primary objective of the CARICOM Digital Skills Task Force is to promote awareness of the importance of digital skills for students, business and governments. It is also to provide technical guidance on the development of digital skills and capability levels across CARICOM. The work of the Task Force will therefore be complementary to many other important regional actions. I express sincere thanks to the Co-chairs and all Members of this Task Force, who have volunteered their valuable time, and accepted to be a part of this important and much-needed initiative. Your work will contribute significantly to the education, human resource development and digital transformation efforts of the Caribbean Community, and ultimately provide many individuals, especially our youth, with greater opportunities towards providing a better quality of life. I encourage all CARICOM citizens in the Region and in the Diaspora, and key stakeholders, please keep interested and engaged in the work of the Digital Skills Task Force. Share your expertise, contribute wherever necessary and however possible. I look forward to the outcome of the efforts of this Task Force.