N.C.B. FOUNDATION LEVEL UP GRANT RECIPIENTS EARN OVER USD$85,000 DURING THE PANDEMIC

The N.C.B. Foundation’s Level Up Grant awardees have earned over USD$85,000 despite challenges from the COVID-19 pandemic. In June 2020, over 1400 awardees who experienced reduced income due to the pandemic, received grants to complete short online courses to enable them to change careers and begin earning again.

The Foundation partnered with Internet Income Jamaica (IIJ), icreate Limited and Northern Caribbean University (NCU), to administer short courses specialised in areas such as social media management, transcription, virtual assistant and remote call centre support, digital marketing, graphic design, grant writing, business communications, crisis/trauma/ grief counselling and small business management.

“The Level Up Grant created a significant impact on those who participated in the programme with some developing the skills to earn income online via freelancing platforms or start their businesses online” shared Nadeen Matthews Blair – CEO of the N.C.B. Foundation.

For Trudy-ann Burke, the programme was life-changing. When Burke’s common-law husband died leaving her with four school-aged children to raise, she thought life could not get harder, then the pandemic hit Jamaica. “I gained skills which enabled me to earn a total of USD 1,520 within two months of starting my virtual assistant services to a myriad of international client, some of whom have become long-term,” said Burke.

Grant awardee Patrieka Mascoe was left unemployed due to COVID-19 but has recently become an entrepreneur after completing her online course. “I felt stuck and left with no sense of direction until I came across this program and the grant offered by N.C.B Foundation,” said Mascoe. Mascoe has since earned over USD 600 online and is capable of providing for personal needs.

“We have touched the lives of many individuals who experienced significant loss due to the pandemic. The Foundation is proud of the success of our Level Up Grant awardees who are earning significantly from their entrepreneurial endeavours online,” said Matthews Blair

With education as its primary strategic focus, the N.C.B. Foundation remains committed to empowering Jamaicans through higher education. For more information visit https:// ncbscholarships.com/