Basseterre, Saint Kitts, June 5, 2025 (PMO) — The Authorities of St. Kitts and Nevis has taken one other main step ahead in its daring nationwide digital transformation agenda as Prime Minister Hon. Dr. Terrance Drew formally handed over laptops to individuals of the Cyber Nations Program, marking the official graduation of coaching for the primary cohort of trainees.
This vital milestone follows this system’s launch earlier this 12 months and indicators the complete activation of what the Prime Minister has described as “an entire new trade sector growing on the earth,” now being firmly established in St. Kitts and Nevis.
The Cyber Nations Program, a partnership between the Authorities of St. Kitts and Nevis and Canadian cybersecurity agency Protexxa, is designed to coach 100 nationals to worldwide requirements, making ready them for globally acknowledged certifications and direct employment alternatives within the increasing discipline of cybersecurity. The intensive coaching might be delivered over the subsequent a number of months, culminating in internationally accredited certifications and job placement help.
Talking on the handover ceremony, Prime Minister Drew emphasised the strategic significance of this initiative, noting that, “This program has a variety of aims. It’s a brand new program… It’s set as much as actually get our nation as much as par with respect to cyber safety. However not solely that, it’s going to attach us internationally.” The Prime Minister additional underscored that individuals who efficiently full this system will obtain worldwide certification from Canada, making them extremely marketable each at house and overseas.
This system’s modern funding construction was additionally highlighted, designed particularly to scale back the monetary burden on individuals and guarantee huge entry. “We’re going to pay utterly for half of the course after which the opposite half of the course, which you’d pay for, however you’ll pay for that after you’re hooked up to a job and begin getting paid,” Dr. Drew defined. The whole price of this system is roughly $20,000 USD, with individuals receiving a $10,000 scholarship up entrance, whereas the remaining portion is repaid after job placement by wage deductions.
This newest part of the Cyber Nations Program is a part of the Authorities’s complete plan to place St. Kitts and Nevis as a regional chief in digital expertise and cybersecurity. The Prime Minister pointed to a variety of important technological developments already achieved below his administration, stating, “Simply to let you understand, you may renew your driver’s license on-line. You can too pay your taxes on-line… We’re on monitor for a nationwide ID, which we intend to launch in 2026.” He added that the nation stays on target to get rid of bodily stamps for presidency transactions as half of a bigger effort to modernize public companies and make authorities extra environment friendly and accessible.
Dr. Drew additionally careworn the crucial function cybersecurity performs in safeguarding the nation’s rising digital infrastructure and attracting main worldwide investments. Referring to the current sale of the Christophe Harbour marina property to world operator Protected Harbor Marinas, the Prime Minister famous, “They count on that after they begin to do enterprise in Saint Kitts and Nevis, that Saint Kitts and Nevis can even shield their data. That is how severe that is.”
With the primary cohort now formally starting their coaching, the Prime Minister expressed his pleasure and optimism for this system’s potential to rework lives and careers. “We’re facilitating you as a lot as attainable… As soon as we now have the primary profitable cohorts, we’re going to construct it out much more. So the alternatives are going to be huge when it comes to native, regional and even worldwide,” he stated.
The Cyber Nations Program stays a key part of the Drew administration’s broader dedication to nationwide growth, innovation, and job creation. As this system advances, the Authorities of St. Kitts and Nevis continues to exhibit its dedication to not solely embrace the long run however to construct it.
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