Spanish for Employability Workshop

CAF – development Bank of Latin America and the Caribbean in partnership with The University of the West Indies Western Jamaica Campus, organized the Spanish for Employability workshop, part of the “SOMOS, Spanish Opens More Opportunities” initiative, which supports CAF’s ongoing efforts to promote the teaching and learning of Spanish as a foreign language in the English-speaking Caribbean.

Event date:

March 20, 2025

Online

CAF – Development Bank of Latin America and the Caribbean, in partnership with The University of the West Indies (UWI), presents Spanish for Employability—a one-day workshop designed to showcase the transformative power of Spanish in Jamaica and the wider Caribbean. This event marks the official launch of CAF’s Spanish programme, highlighting its impact on employability, commerce, and tourism. It will underscore the critical role of Spanish proficiency in meeting global market demands and fostering regional integration. 

Through engaging discussions and strategic networking, stakeholders, including diplomats, government representatives, educators, and industry leaders, will explore opportunities to advance Spanish education and its application in key sectors. The workshop will also deliver actionable recommendations on leveraging Spanish as a driver of economic growth and cultural exchange in the Caribbean. 

This immersive experience, will bring together industry leaders, educators, diplomats, and business professionals to explore how Spanish proficiency can enhance employability and drive economic transformation across the Caribbean. 

This workshop is designed to: 

🌍 Leverage on Spanish to expand career opportunities in tourism, commerce, and business. 
🤝 Strengthen regional ties between the Caribbean and Latin America through language proficiency. 
📈 Harness Spanish as a strategic asset for success in trade, investment, and diplomacy. 
🌐 Forge strategic alliances and connect with key players in government, academia, and the private sector. 

🚀 Expected Outcomes 

  • Greater Awareness – Recognizing Spanish as a key asset for economic growth.             
  • Strategic Insights – Practical recommendations for integrating Spanish into education & business.
  • New Partnerships – Strengthening collaboration between governments, businesses, & academia.
  • Commitments from Stakeholders – Driving initiatives in tourism, trade, & diplomacy.
  • A Roadmap for Action – Laying the foundation for long-term Spanish education programmes. 

 

Register and join us online

Programme

9:00 am – 9:30 am | Activity: Registration

 

9:30 am - 9:40 am | Welcome & Introduction

Master of Ceremony:

  • Khamal Georges - Communications Specialist for the Caribbean, CAF

 

9:40 am – 10:00 am | Workshop Launch: Opening Remarks
Participants:

  • Dr. Stacy Richards-Kennedy - Regional Manager for the Caribbean, CAF
  • Dr. Tomlin Paul - Deputy Principal, The University of the West Indies, Mona Campus

 

10:00 am – 10:30 am | Feature Address: Spanish as a tool for Enhancing Employability

  • Ms. Carmen Noguero Galilea - General Secretary Cervantes Institute, Spain

 

10:30 am – 10:45 am | Coffee break

 

10:45 am – 11:45 am | Panel 1: Challenges and Opportunities for Teaching Spanish in Jamaica and the Wider Caribbean

Moderator:

  • Mrs. Ramonia Smith-Hamilton - Education Officer of Spanish, MOEYI

Panelists:

  • Ms. Carol Rose Brown - Director of the Jamaica Centre for Tourism Innovation (JCTI) Tourism Enhancement Fund (TEF), Ministry of Tourism
  • H.E. Fermín Quiñones Sánchez - Ambassador of Cuba
  • Mr. Nerick Griffiths - President of the National Spanish Teachers’ Association
  • Mrs. Sharon Burnett - Deputy Director, Overseas Examinations Commission

 

11:45 am - 12:30 pm | Networking Activity: Forging Strategic Alliances for the Promotion of Spanish in the Caribbean

  • Dr. Martha Luisa Corbett-Baugh - Senior Education Officer Foreign Languages, MOEYI

 

12:30 pm - 1:45 pm | Lunch

 

1:45 pm - 2:00 pm|  CAF’s Vision for Education: Strengthening Language Learning

  • Mr. Pablo Bartol - Social and Human Development Manager, CAF

 

2:00 pm – 3:00 pm | Panel 2: Spanish as an enabler for Tourism and Trade

Moderator:

  • Prof. Donovan Campbell - Director, UWI Western Jamaica Campus

Panelists:

  • H.E. José Maria Fernández López de Turiso - Ambassador of Spain
  • Ms. Gloria Henry - Vice President BPO and Logistics, Port Authority, Montego Bay
  • Dr. Teresa Villoria Nolla - Head of Department Modern Languages and Literatures, UWI Mona Campus

3:00 pm – 3:15 pm | Conclusions: The Way Forward

  • Dr. Stacy Richards-Kennedy - Regional Manager for the Caribbean, CAF

3:15 pm – 3:30 pm | Closing Remarks

  • Prof. Donovan Campbell - Director, UWI Western Jamaica Campus
  • Mr. Oscar Avalle - Country Representative for Jamaica, CAF

 

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