The Barbadian software developers who have made it past the first phase of one of the apps competition in Digital Jam 3.0 "Caribbean edition" have been given some guidance as to how they may put themselves in a better position to win the USD10,000 grand prize. The advice came during a coaching session with Digital Jam 3.0 "Caribbean edition" Mentors; Barbadian Economist, Mr. Jeremy Stephen and Jamaican Software Developer, Mr. Damion Daley. This session was also attended by Ms. Lisa Harding, Investment Officer, Private Sector Development Unit at the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB). Digital Jam 3.0 "Caribbean Edition" is a Regional initiative of the World Bank, CDB, the OECS Secretariat, the Government of Jamaica and the Government of Canada, together with leading Caribbean public and private partners. It challenges Caribbean youth to embrace the endless opportunities provided by information and communication technologies. Ms. Harding, Coordinator of the Digital Jam 3.0 project at the CDB, indicated that "CDB was pleased to be a partner in this Regional initiative which seeks a solution to high youth unemployment in the Caribbean through exploiting income generating opportunities using technology." Ms. Harding also indicated that the programme would provide an opportunity for mobile applications software developers to enhance their skills through capacity building activities; and provide a platform to showcase the creativity of mobile applications software developers in the Caribbean. Speaking about the coaching session, Mr. Daley said it was organised to help the young developers to refine their ideas to create a better product. "My role is to guide the guys to help them better understand what they are doing, the business behind what they are doing, and the long term viability of the product they are hoping to develop," he said. The developers who attended the session are participating in the Pioneers of the Caribbean, Game Changers and Stunning Beginners Apps Competition which was launched in November last year. Interested developers are still able to participate in the Apps for E-learning Competition which was launched in January with a deadline for submission on February 16, 2014. Digital Jam 3.0 "Caribbean edition" will also be conducting workshops in February 2014, which will explore work opportunities in the global virtual economy via e-lancing; micro-work; and open source software use. The initiative will culminate in a Regional two-day workshop, which is expected to target approximately 2,700 participants, including government officials, development partners, Jamaican and international investors, representatives from the banking sector, young start-up companies, and the wider youth population. The workshop will include keynote speeches, practical workshops, and the announcement of winners of the mobile applications competition. CAPTION: (Backrow, L-R) Barbadian software developers, Mr. Raymond Hope, Mr. Jason Als, Mr. Samora Reid and Mr. Lybron Sobers with (frontrow, L-R) Ms. Lisa Harding, Investment Officer, Private Sector Development Unit, CDB and Mentors, Mr. Jeremy Stephen and Mr. Damion Daley.