The Caribbean STEM Coaching Club Through COVID-19 Times
The Caribbean STEM Coaching Club
A Joint Venture Between Future Think, the Caribbean Diaspora for Science, Technology & Innovation (UK) and the British Foundation of the University of the West Indies.
ACHIEVEMENTS 2020 – 2021
The COVID-19 pandemic has been tough for us all. However, ironically, the Caribbean STEM Coaching Club has been at its most productive since it was founded in 2015.
When the COVID-19 pandemic kicked in, our network pivoted very quickly to facilitate a series of “People Helping People” Problem Solving Discussions. These are set out below:
“People Helping People” Problem Solving Discussions
| Date | Discussion | Facilitated by |
| 12/04/2020 | Guidance on Examinations in COVID-19 Times | Dr Patrice Evans |
| 22/04/2020 | Opportunities for Beauticians and Hairdressers in COVID-19 Times | Mrs Penny Carballo-Smith |
| 06/06/2020 | Future Opportunities for Engineers in the Energy Sector | Mr Alan Smith, Mr Kelvin Dalrymple |
| 08/07/2020 | Economic and Consumer Trends Post COVID-19 | Dr Jonathan Thomas |
| 30/05/2020 | Digital Skills in Demand Post COVID-19 | Mr Tunji Akintokun |
| 24/06/2020 | Finding Meaningful Summer Jobs in COVID-19 Times | Mrs Penny Carballo-Smith |
| 25/07/2020 | The Black Professional and Black Lives Matter: Leveraging the Opportunities, Managing Backlash | Ms Sandra Clough |
| 30/09/2020 | Cyber Awareness in a COVID-19 World | Mr Sam Brown, Ms Sarah Durr and Ms Nicole Austin, FTI Consulting |
| 17/10/2020 | Prudent Income Earning Opportunities | Mrs Sharon Simon |
| 28/10/2020 | Saving Wisely: Pensions Made Simple | Ms Alison Tindall
Ms Victoria McCleod-Gayle |
| 14/11/2020 | Climate Risk: New Opportunities, New Jobs, New Skills | Mr Alan Smith |
2021 Maths Master Classes and Parents’ Discussions at Harrow School
For the fifth year running, we worked with specialist Maths Teachers Mrs Natalya Silcott and Ms Sandra Hall to run Maths Master Classes and to facilitate “Parents Helping Parents” Problem-Solving Discussions. We supported 13 students and their parents. For the first time, in response to the pandemic, all sessions were conducted via ZOOM. These were perhaps not as effective as our face to face sessions but we all agreed that they worked better than expected.
| Date | Discussion | Facilitated by |
| 16/01/2021 | Working It Out in COVID-19 Times | Mrs Penny Carballo-Smith |
| 23/01/2021 | New Jobs, New Skills, New Pathways | Mrs Penny Carballo-Smith |
| 06/02/2021 | Mindset and the African/Caribbean Child | Mrs Penny Carballo-Smith |
| 27/02/2021 | Learning How to Learn | Mrs Penny Carballo-Smith |
| 20/03/2020 | Skills for the Post COVID-19 World | Mrs Penny Carballo-Smith |
| 13/03/2020 | Opportunities for Entrepreneurs Post COVID-19 | Mrs Penny Carballo-Smith |
2021 Careers Day
Our annual Careers Day was also held this year via ZOOM on 13 March 2021. Mr. Derek Browne, CEO of Entrepreneurs In Action led an engaging discussion on “The Entrepreneurial Mindset”. Discussions in small groups were led by four entrepreneurs: Ms Imani Thomas, Ms Sasha Ritchie, Mr Shem Williams, and Mr Clive Morrison.
Upskilling and Reskilling Campaign
For the first time, we ran a campaign to encourage our Caribbean STEM Coaching Club network and the wider African/Caribbean communities to upskill and reskill for new and emerging jobs in high-growth sectors. We are very grateful to Ms Andrea Opoku, Ms Lisa Ram, and Ms Nicole Austin of FTI Consulting for their generous assistance with research, branding and marketing.
Our campaign included:
- Signposting to the Future Think Upskilling and Reskilling Toolkit – https://www.futurethink.info/upskilling-and-reskilling/
- Daily insights circulated on social media throughout the month of May 2021
- The following “People Helping People” Upskilling and Reskilling discussions:
| Date | Discussion | Facilitated by: |
| 22/05/2021 | It’s a New World of Work: What Can a Grandparent Do? | Mrs Penny Carballo-Smith in collaboration with Mrs Michelle Parson |
| 03/06/2021 | t’s a New World of Work – And it’s Good News for those who are Aware and who Prepare | Mrs Penny Carballo-Smith in collaboration with the Pentecostal Credit Union |
| 16/06/2021 | It’s a New World of Work: Good News for Over 50s! | Penny Carballo-Smith in collaboration with The Ascension Trust |
| 23/06 2021 | Reskilling and Job Opportunities in Real Estate and Infrastructure | Mr Manoj Bahl and Ms Nicole Austin of FTI Consulting |
We ended the financial Y/E 30 June 2021 with a healthy £1,157 in the bank thanks to the generosity of our parents and supporters.
Life in COVID-19 times has indeed been challenging. We are very thankful to all those who contributed their time, professional expertise, finances, and other support to this unique “People Helping People” endeavor. Your generous contributions have made life a little easier for us all
.End.Penny Carballo-Smith, 25 August 2021