The Business Training and Consultancy Network for the Caribbean for the Youth Entrepreneurship Academy and Coaching programme was launched during a virtual meeting on 1 February 2023. In attendance were 30 participants drawn from seven Caribbean countries, Development Alchemists and Associates and the ILO. The network was established to provide a platform to share lessons learned, discuss challenges faced and to collaborate and work together to improve business training and consultancy services.

"It is envisioned that the network will play an instrumental role in supporting enterprises and entrepreneurs to adapt to the changing demands of the business environment with the continued support of the ILO and experts from Development Alchemists and Associates. As part of the launch event Ms. Kimberley Davis, Blueprint, Jamaica and Ms. Elizabeth Terry, Limitless Transformational Coaching and Training Services Limited, Jamaica shared their experiences and perspectives during the Spotlight on a Consultant session.

ILO has set up a trainers’ network of certified trainers who have participated in ILO business development trainings (GET Ahead, MyGreenEnterprise and BusinessCoaching). The network meets on a frequent basis, for now virtually, supported by key experts (senior coaches). This network, which is expected to grow to roughly 50 certified trainers by the end of the year, has a double objective:

1. To further enhance the professional skills of trainers, adding soft skills to specific skills on entrepreneurship. The coaches will receive support from key experts in the field and will be able to add methodologies and tools to their work. The new tools and skills will support the coaches to provide better business coaching services to the Caribbean region and this finally will serve vulnerable groups to have access to support which is normally unavailable in the Caribbean.
2. To support productive exchanges between new trainers to find potential synergies and collaborations. Trainer/coach will have the opportunity to highlight their specific skills and knowledge which will enable collaborations between professionals across the islands. The continuous exchange and collaboration will further enhance the skills.

In the end it all boils down to having high quality services, integral services for individuals and groups that are/want to become entrepreneurs. In celebrating the launch of the Alumni network, Mr. John Bliek, ILO Enterprise, Cooperatives and Rural Development Specialist, stated that the ILO, through its trainings and this network, enables the Caribbean islands to have better, formal and more innovate enterprises and entrepreneurs.