Mobile app development debuts at WorldSkills Juniors camp

Barbados’ WorldSkills Juniors Future Skills Camp has introduced mobile application development for the first time, giving young participants the opportunity to design and build their own applications while developing skills for careers in the digital economy.

Technical officer at the Technical and Vocational Education and Training Council (TVET Council), Alicia Sealy, gave an update on the camp during a tour by Minister of Technological and Vocational Training Sandra Husbands at the Samuel Jackman Prescod Institute of Technology (SJPI), where campers demonstrated the apps they created.

“This is the sixth year we’re holding the camp. The camp started in 2021 when we first held it online in collaboration with WorldSkills Russia,” Sealy said.

Minister Sandra Husbands speaking with camper about the app he developed (Photo credit: Lauryn Escamilla / Barbados TODAY)

“This year, we have introduced… 3D digital printing, we had game art, and this is the first time that we’re hosting mobile app development.”

Over the six-week programme, campers have also explored aerial robotics, optoelectronic technology, game development and other future-focused disciplines.

“The campers have started to develop their games, or their applications for mobile app development, and they will continue that for the next couple of days,” Sealy said, adding that cybersecurity will be the focus next week.

Interest in the programme has remained strong, with Sealy revealing that 153 campers have participated over the past six weeks.

“This is an annual programme,” she said, encouraging interested students to apply through the TVET Council’s website, noting that registration remains open until the Friday before the camp begins.

Barbados will also receive international recognition when the WorldSkills Barbados Future Skills Programme is showcased at WorldSkills Shanghai, scheduled for September 22 to 27.

“This year… there is a new event called WorldSkills Collab,” Sealy explained. “The WorldSkills Barbados Future Skills Programme was actually selected as one of the projects that will be featured at WorldSkills Shanghai this year.”

Campers developing their apps (Photo credit: Lauryn Escamilla / Barbados TODAY)

She added that while a senior technical officer will present the programme during the collaboration event, Barbados will also send five competitors to the international competition.

“We have cooking, optoelectronic technology, ICT network infrastructure, intelligence security, and unmanned aerial systems,” she said, noting that it will be Barbados’ first time competing in four of those skill areas.

During Wednesday’s tour, Husbands chatted with campers as they proudly explained what they had been learning.

“We have some talent here,” she said. “You start to make some products and apps for Barbados. Wonderful.”

She said the programme is intended to help young people identify their strengths while preparing them for meaningful careers.

“To be able to discover what your particular strengths are, then give you the opportunity to develop your skills… so you can find three things: one, a career that pays well; two, a career that excites you; three, a career that will be able to continue to grow and keep moving from one level to the other.”

Describing the camp as the beginning of a much larger journey, Husbands encouraged participants to pursue careers they are passionate about.

“When you’re passionate, you bring a level of excellence… you’ll be able to compete with anybody, any part of the world.”

(LE)